The continuing existence of our different peoples as a nation state for 54 years in spite of tenuous strains to our unity is by all standards a great achievement. Even though the lofty dreams of our founding fathers remain largely unfulfilled, our ability to stick together and keep our hopes for a better country alive, should spur us to greater efforts to overcome our present problems and build a country we can all be proud of.
However, as we roll out the drums in commemoration of this remarkable occasion, it is necessary to reflect deeply on the nation’s journey so far. It is apposite that we take stock of all that we have done well and the ones we bungled, with a view to making amends and getting back on the track that could lead us to the type of country, which our founding fathers envisaged, and of which we all dream.
It is, indeed, sad that our country continues to grope in the dark in many areas of development in spite of the abundant wealth at the disposal of our political leaders, past and present. We recall that at independence, Nigeria held great prospects for Africa and, indeed, all Black people in the world. Nigeria was the figurative Promised Land of the Black race, a land flowing profusely with milk and honey that was expected to lead the liberation of Africa and the Blacks in Diaspora.
As the most populated black nation, Nigeria was expected to be a
strong force in science, technology and the arts, in Africa. But sadly,
Nigeria and Africa have remained in the shadows while other continents
attained great height in all fields. As at now, we are still the only
race that has not gone into the orbit or made significant technological
discoveries that could change the course of history.
Yet, Nigeria has enough human and material resources that could have made this possible. We could have built a prosperous, egalitarian and united nation. In fact, the nation performed well in all socio-economic indices until the military intervention in politics and the bloody Nigerian Civil War that raged from 1967 to 1970. Our country had made modest strides in the first few years of its existence under the regional administrative system, in which each region was allowed to develop at its own pace, manage its affairs and contribute a certain percentage of its earned income to the national purse. That was the era of true federalism and the golden age of Nigeria’s political evolution and development.
Beyond this modest achievement recorded in the pre-war independent Nigeria and the post-civil war oil-boom period of the 70s and 80s, the nation has been gradually regressing in virtually all sectors. The slide, which became noticeable in the 90s, is still visible today, hence, the decaying social infrastructure, dilapidated roads, poor electricity supply, poor standard of education, a weak health system, growing unemployment and a high poverty rate, with about 70 percent of the population said to be living on less than one US dollar per day. The nation’s homeless are increasing considering a deficit of about 17 million housing units. These desperate indices demand that those in power should do something to improve the situation. Nigerians should not have to live in this difficult situation brought about by the inept and corrupt leadership at the various levels of government in the country.
It is a pity that despite the rebasing of Nigeria’s economy, its acclaimed growth has not reflected in the lives of most Nigerians. The economy is still in the doldrums. It is necessary to save majority of Nigerians from the thralldom of poverty and socio-economic alienation. At 54, the government should be able to provide basic infrastructure in all parts of the country. Things like good roads, potable water, steady electricity, functional education, security and efficient healthcare system should cease to be campaign issues. They are basic things that the government should provide without being wrestled by the people before doing so. It is particularly sad that despite many promises and the expenditure of billions of naira, the power sector is still bad.
The most worrisome aspect of this regression is the general insecurity pervading the entire nation, especially in the North-East geo-political zone where the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is viciously waging a war against the country. Besides the Biafran secessionist bid, the Boko Haram insurgency is yet another organised forceful attempt to dismember the country. But interestingly, the nation’s Armed Forces are gradually rising to the occasion and it is hoped that in no distant time, the insurgency will be brought to an end with the cooperation of all Nigerians. While insurgency is in vogue in some parts of northern Nigeria, kidnapping, armed robbery and other social crimes are thriving in the Southern part of the country.
For insurgency and other forms of criminality to be curtailed in the country, the Armed Forces and other security agencies must put their best foot forward. The war on insurgency must be waged with all sense of duty and responsibility. The age-old discipline and professionalism for which the Nigerian military was widely known must be reinvigorated and enforced at all times. All acts of sabotage and insubordination should not be tolerated if the nation wants to win the war against insurgency.
As we approach the 2015 general elections, the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure that the exercise is credible, free and fair. All the security agents involved in the polls, political parties, politicians, their supporters and, indeed, all Nigerians should conduct themselves well and ensure that the election is not marred by unscrupulous elements. The electoral agency should be above board and give the nation a poll that we can all be proud of. The Federal Government should adequately fund INEC to ensure that it has the needed materials and logistics to conduct polls. It is not debatable that the electoral umpire has a big role to play in ensuring a smooth and credible poll. Let INEC not disappoint this time round.
Our nation has not, for a long time, witnessed the kind of tribal and religious divides that are now plaguing the present political dispensation. We have been so badly divided that almost everything, including public appointments and policies, are viewed from ethnic and religious prisms.
If we desire to forge ahead as one entity, there is need to eschew all divisive tendencies and work as one united country. Our diversity should be a source of strength and not a cause of unnecessary division and rancour. There is the need for ethical reorientation and attitudinal change for us to make Nigeria a great and united nation. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the unity of the country is sustained.
As we mark 54 years of corporate existence as a nation, let us work hard to prove wrong the doomsday prophecy of Nigeria’s probable breakup in 2015. Our politicians should do away with inflammatory statements. They should eschew reckless and combative statements that polarize the country the more. Let us be committed to building a strong country.
It is pertinent that government does all it can to fulfill its promises to the people. Government must also ensure that the outcome of the recently concluded National Conference is implemented so that this particular one does not go the way of past conferences. A country where over 70 percent of the people are poor needs both financial and political restructuring. Let us use the outcome of the conference to redesign a Nigeria that will be fair and equitable to all its citizens, irrespective of tribe or creed. That is the surest way to ensure our unity and continued existence as one nation, so that we can fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers.
Yet, Nigeria has enough human and material resources that could have made this possible. We could have built a prosperous, egalitarian and united nation. In fact, the nation performed well in all socio-economic indices until the military intervention in politics and the bloody Nigerian Civil War that raged from 1967 to 1970. Our country had made modest strides in the first few years of its existence under the regional administrative system, in which each region was allowed to develop at its own pace, manage its affairs and contribute a certain percentage of its earned income to the national purse. That was the era of true federalism and the golden age of Nigeria’s political evolution and development.
Beyond this modest achievement recorded in the pre-war independent Nigeria and the post-civil war oil-boom period of the 70s and 80s, the nation has been gradually regressing in virtually all sectors. The slide, which became noticeable in the 90s, is still visible today, hence, the decaying social infrastructure, dilapidated roads, poor electricity supply, poor standard of education, a weak health system, growing unemployment and a high poverty rate, with about 70 percent of the population said to be living on less than one US dollar per day. The nation’s homeless are increasing considering a deficit of about 17 million housing units. These desperate indices demand that those in power should do something to improve the situation. Nigerians should not have to live in this difficult situation brought about by the inept and corrupt leadership at the various levels of government in the country.
It is a pity that despite the rebasing of Nigeria’s economy, its acclaimed growth has not reflected in the lives of most Nigerians. The economy is still in the doldrums. It is necessary to save majority of Nigerians from the thralldom of poverty and socio-economic alienation. At 54, the government should be able to provide basic infrastructure in all parts of the country. Things like good roads, potable water, steady electricity, functional education, security and efficient healthcare system should cease to be campaign issues. They are basic things that the government should provide without being wrestled by the people before doing so. It is particularly sad that despite many promises and the expenditure of billions of naira, the power sector is still bad.
The most worrisome aspect of this regression is the general insecurity pervading the entire nation, especially in the North-East geo-political zone where the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is viciously waging a war against the country. Besides the Biafran secessionist bid, the Boko Haram insurgency is yet another organised forceful attempt to dismember the country. But interestingly, the nation’s Armed Forces are gradually rising to the occasion and it is hoped that in no distant time, the insurgency will be brought to an end with the cooperation of all Nigerians. While insurgency is in vogue in some parts of northern Nigeria, kidnapping, armed robbery and other social crimes are thriving in the Southern part of the country.
For insurgency and other forms of criminality to be curtailed in the country, the Armed Forces and other security agencies must put their best foot forward. The war on insurgency must be waged with all sense of duty and responsibility. The age-old discipline and professionalism for which the Nigerian military was widely known must be reinvigorated and enforced at all times. All acts of sabotage and insubordination should not be tolerated if the nation wants to win the war against insurgency.
As we approach the 2015 general elections, the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure that the exercise is credible, free and fair. All the security agents involved in the polls, political parties, politicians, their supporters and, indeed, all Nigerians should conduct themselves well and ensure that the election is not marred by unscrupulous elements. The electoral agency should be above board and give the nation a poll that we can all be proud of. The Federal Government should adequately fund INEC to ensure that it has the needed materials and logistics to conduct polls. It is not debatable that the electoral umpire has a big role to play in ensuring a smooth and credible poll. Let INEC not disappoint this time round.
Our nation has not, for a long time, witnessed the kind of tribal and religious divides that are now plaguing the present political dispensation. We have been so badly divided that almost everything, including public appointments and policies, are viewed from ethnic and religious prisms.
If we desire to forge ahead as one entity, there is need to eschew all divisive tendencies and work as one united country. Our diversity should be a source of strength and not a cause of unnecessary division and rancour. There is the need for ethical reorientation and attitudinal change for us to make Nigeria a great and united nation. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the unity of the country is sustained.
As we mark 54 years of corporate existence as a nation, let us work hard to prove wrong the doomsday prophecy of Nigeria’s probable breakup in 2015. Our politicians should do away with inflammatory statements. They should eschew reckless and combative statements that polarize the country the more. Let us be committed to building a strong country.
It is pertinent that government does all it can to fulfill its promises to the people. Government must also ensure that the outcome of the recently concluded National Conference is implemented so that this particular one does not go the way of past conferences. A country where over 70 percent of the people are poor needs both financial and political restructuring. Let us use the outcome of the conference to redesign a Nigeria that will be fair and equitable to all its citizens, irrespective of tribe or creed. That is the surest way to ensure our unity and continued existence as one nation, so that we can fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers.
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Nigeria at 54: Not yet the dream of our founding fathers |
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