October 1, 1960, is probably the most important date in the history of Nigeria as a nation. It is the day the country was granted full independence from Great Britain.
As Nigeria marks its 62nd Independence Anniversary Celebration, Legit.ng highlights some important historical sites in Lagos, Nigeria's erstwhile capital city, that relive the memories of October 1, 1960.
1. Race Course: Now named Tafawa Balewa Square
Nigeria's independence was announced by the country's first Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in his speech read at what was then known as the 'Race Course' on October 1, 1960.
The 'Race Course' has since been renamed and is now known as Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).
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The historical monument, a 14.5-hectare (35.8-acre) ceremonial ground, is situated in the centre of Lagos Island’s commercial district.
TBS was constructed in 1972 over the site of a defunct rack for horse racing.
The square has a capacity for 50,000 people. Facilities at the square include a shopping center, Airline’s Travel Agencies, restaurants and car parking and a bus terminal.
2. Independence Square: Now named Tinubu Square
The Independence Square, built in 1960, is another landmark monument that relives Nigeria's independence.
The facility has also been renamed and is now known as Tinubu Square. To clarify, it was not named after Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor and presidential candidate of the ruling APC.
Rather, the monument was named after a wealthy businesswoman and activist., Madam Efunroye Tinubu, who died in 1887.
Tinubu Square is a 2000 square meter piece of land located in Broad Street; the heart of Lagos and the centre of the central business district.
It was believed to have been donated to the British by Madam Tinubu. It was reconstructed to its current state in 2007.
3. Broad Street Prison: Now named Freedom Park
In the colonial era, the government passed the prison ordinance that introduced its own concept of criminal justice to the colony to keep order and protect their interests. Thus, various prisons were constructed around Nigeria.
Broad Street prison where some of Nigeria's notable political elite (Herbert Macaulay, Michael Imoudu, Anthony Enahoro, and Obafemi Awolowo) were held, is one of such prisons.
However, with Nigeria's independence, the prison has transformed into what is now known as Freedom Park.
Freedom Park was constructed to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Nigerians and mark the country's 50th Independence Anniversary celebration in October 2010.
It is now described as a Memorial and Leisure Park dedicated to preserving the Lagos colonial heritage and history of the Old Board Street prison.
The park provides venues and grounds for events and recreational entertainment.
'I share your pains,' Buhari says in last Independence Day speech as Nigeria's president
Meanwhile, as the president of the country, Muhammadu Buhari, in his Independence Day speech on Saturday, October, said his administration will continue to ensure that Nigeria's fiscal policies are supported by a robust and contemporary monetary policy that recognises the nation's peculiarities.
In this speech which is his last as the president of Nigeria, Buhari said as a victim of an unfair electoral process, he was determined to ensure the passage of a new Electoral Act that would deliver fairness and credibility to the nation's polls.