What the first of October means

Today is the first of October, the day that starts the Halloween celebration. It won’t be long before Buzzfeed releases articles about the best scary film to watch in the build-up to the big day or make-up artists on all platforms show us how to improve our looks from last year’s frightening party.

However, while many are getting into the frightful spirit and prepare for the big day, others give a different meaning to the first day of October. For the people of Ambazonia and Nigeria, it is a happy celebration of the liberation of their countries.

Today Nigeria is commemorating its 61st birthday. It is on this day that Nigeria was no longer under the rule of the British Empire and was able to flourish as the Federation of Nigeria. The nation had been under British rule since 1807 when Britain used it as a glorified oil rig before taking full ownership of it and declaring it the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1912 where they attempted to ‘better’ the Nigerian way of life. However, it was today in 1960 when it all changed and Nigeria could grow as its own independent nation, free from British intervention. A day that holds a large amount of importance for the Nigerian people and their children to come.

However, the Independence Day of Ambazonia is very different. Ambazonia, a self-declared state that makes up both the Southwest and Northwest region of Cameroon, celebrates its freedom from the Cameroon nation that was initiated in 2017. It was this day four years ago that many people from Cameroon felt that the Cameroon government was marginalizing those of them who identified as ‘Anglophones’ (those who speak English) while the nation is dominated by French speakers (Francophones). Many of the English speakers felt that the government was attempting to eliminate their legal, administrative education, and institutions in attempts to make Cameroon more French. This created protects which were ultimately met with violence that has not ceased to this day. The nation is not fully recognized as an independent country, however, the people of Ambazonia are celebrating this day of what could be the first step to freedom.

Happy Independence Day to all, especially those from Nigeria and Ambazonia. A day to celebrate is a day one should never miss.