Lagos, October 2.
Nigeria is independent and Lagos is at last en fête. It was really only after Saturday morning's impressive independence ceremony, when Princess Alexandra formally handed Nigeria's constitution over to the Nigerian Prime Minister, that the town went on holiday. Now there are crowds everywhere, and there is real animation.

On Friday night - independence night - when the British flag was solemnly hauled down, the town was curiously quiet. There were, of course, enormous crowds in the stands around the Lagos racecourse where the ceremony was performed, but they only had mild applause for the military tattoo which preceded the flag ceremony.

The Prime Minister and the Governor-General witnessed the flag ceremony from a small rostrum to which they had marched in step, both in white. They were two still figures standing to attention as Nigeria's hymn-like national anthem was given its first public airing.

The crowd even allowed them to march back to the royal pavilion, where Princess Alexandra was, in almost complete silence. There was no doubt that the 20,000 spectators wanted to see Dr Azikiwe and Chief Awolowo, who had, after all, been in the independence business far longer than the Nigerian Prime Minister. That Alhaji Abubakar did not make the gesture of inviting these two men to stand by his side during the flag-raising will long rankle as a mark against him.

Nor has Alhaji Abubakar's dedicated and moving speech at Saturday's independence ceremony, which was greatly praised by the visiting diplomatic delegations, dispelled Nigerian criticism of his latest exercise in cabinet-making.

There has, in fact, only been a minor Cabinet reshuffle, but it centred on his intention to appoint a Foreign Minister on independence. There were several candidates from each of the two parties in his coalition Government, and great pressure was brought to bear on him these last few days from supporters of the various candidates. In the end none got it - he has kept the portfolio for himself, at least as a temporary measure.

Last night the state ball in Lagos's new Palace Hotel was attended by the high and mighty. Dr Azikiwe was in an exuberant mood and could even be seen dancing with the pretty daughter of the Western Nigerian (Action Group) Premier. The Nigerians certainly can dance the "high life" better than anybody else.