ABUJA, Nigeria, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Fireworks and parades in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja kicked off celebrations to mark the country's 50th year of independence, officials said.
President Goodluck Jonathan paid tribute to the resilience of Nigeria and its people since the end of British colonial rule a half-century ago, the BBC reported.
Jonathan said Nigeria's post-colonial journey was rocky.
"Our troubles and our failures are well cataloged," Jonathan said in a national address. "For a country that was intent on development on a similar, if not better, level with many countries at independence, it is discomforting that we are lagging behind, as economic indexes among nations now show".
Nigeria is a major oil-producing country, but most of its people live in poverty.
UPI
