My Thoughts on the Independence Bomb Blast

We have all just been saddened by the news of the Bomb Explosions outside the Parade Ground in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, as we celebrate our 50th year of Independence.

For the first time in a while, Nigerians were united in the celebration of something of national value. Everyone has something planned and the mood in Lagos and other major cities, towns and villages around the country has been festive.

And then this sad news that 8 people have been killed in the Blast!

What is this supposed to mean?

Who wants Nigerians to remember this occasion with mourning and gloom?

How are we supposed to react to this?

Are we to cancel all the celebrations we had planned today in honor of the lives which have been lost in this tragedy?

Should we all wear black and adopt somber long faces, forgetting that only hours ago, we were optimistic about our nation’s future?

Is it our civic responsibility to mourn on a day when we should ordinarily be celebrating?

*sigh* Nigeria..why?!

I would have liked to say right now that even though I commiserate with the families of those whose lives have been lost and am deeply sorrowful about their loss, that I refuse to be depressed by this tragedy.

However, I can’t help but wonder how I’d feel if one of those 8 people was my friend or family member.

Would I be so willing to continue the celebration then?

Will we be expressing a form of national Solidarity if we decided to collectively mourn this loss of Nigerian lives OR still go ahead to celebrate in spite of it?

Which of these options will speak well of us as a Nation?

If I were to be Goodluck Jonathan right now, in whose words lies the direction the rest of today (and after) should take for all Nigerians, what would I have said to 'My Fellow Nigerians' at this time?

My question remains: What is supposed to be the mood now after this Golden Jubilee Explosion??