Nigeria is 54 years old today, having freed itself from the stranglehold of British colonial masters on October 1, 1960. Expectedly, our political leaders who began the celebration of the august event a few days ago, will today be clinking glasses in Abuja, the nation’s capital, as they search the nation’s haystacks for the pins that we all ought to be celebrating on this auspicious occasion.
Certainly, the nation has come a long way since it gained ‘independence” from Britain. Although the people’s expectations and those of the nation’s founding fathers who fought for “independence” have largely not been met, Nigeria soldiers on.
In the face of insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure, poor health system, under-developed agricultural and educational systems, the people have remained largely optimistic and hopeful of better days ahead.
This is even at a time that our political leaders do not evince much hope of the nation’s safe arrival at the Promised Land. Year in year out, and from regime to regime, the country’s ship of state has been tottering, hopefully not towards a precipice.
We have not had remarkable improvements in the areas of national life that are critical to most Nigerians. Although our political leaders are always quick to point out opaque improvements in the power sector, infrastructure, the economy and education, these gains are not impactful enough to erode the impression of non-performance by the nation’s rulers.
Unemployment, which has made about 38 per cent of the nation’s youths idle, and insecurity, have become sore points.
Insurgents are seizing whole communities in the North-East and declaring Boko Haram caliphates there. Many girls, including over 200 from Chibok, in Borno State, have been seized by insurgents, and security of life and property can no longer be guaranteed in that part of the country.
We have moved from colonialism to regionalism , on to a Civil War and berthed on a skewed federalism that failed to meet the people’s yearnings for improved governance.
There is hardly any area of national life in which we have excelled, as the stories coming out of our educational institutions are less than inspiring. None of the nation’s universities is among the best 10 in Africa.
We have no remarkable technological achievements while the performance of our students in public examinations reflects the sorry state of our educational sector.
Public health institutions cannot meet up with expectations while medical tourism to India and other countries for the treatment of basic ailments is at its peak. The fear of our public health institutions has become the beginning of wisdom for many of our compatriots.
The government’s efforts on roads are too little, and rather late in the life of this regime. Billions of naira went down the drain in form of subsidies for fuel and kerosene that were never imported or subsidised.
As I write, some workers of a manufacturing company are on television protesting maltreatment by Asian owners of the company they are working for, and asking why Nigerians should be treated so shabbily in their own country.
The answer to that question is glaring. Asian company owners will continue to treat Nigerian workers like trash until the Nigerian government can find a way around the debilitating unemployment in the country.
While the country’s leadership may, at times, try to flex its muscles and insist on good treatment for Nigerian workers in Asian-owned companies, the fact remains that these foreigners will continue to maltreat Nigerians for as long as we do not get our policies right, for as long as we cannot institute an enabling environment for job creation, and the appropriate agencies that should watch out for workers and ensure that they are properly treated by their employers, whether local or foreign, do not do their jobs.
So, is there really nothing to cheer as Nigeria turns 54? The country is still one. We have so far staved off fears of a possible disintegration of the country.
We are yet to witness a people’s revolt. Our democracy is still strong. There is a growing intelligentsia and the quality of life of many Nigerians has certainly improved beyond what we had at independence.
We have an educated elite class that can hold its own anywhere in the world. We have had a National Conference which did not lead to the disintegration of the country, although we are still expecting the implementation of its resolutions.
We have a leader who, even though regarded by critics as clueless in his handling of efforts to transform the country, is humane.
He is not repressive and largely tries to abide by the rule of law, although the recent smuggling of 9.3 million dollars to South Africa with his knowledge appears to have sullied his record in this regard.
We have general elections coming up next year, which we hope will be free and fair, and produce an acceptable leader.
These are all things to cheer.
What the country needs most, as it turns 54, are leaders who have the passion and the sagacity to bring the people’s expectations in the different areas of national life to reality. We need a formula to bring insurgency to an end and restore peace and security throughout the country.
Above all things, we need to renew our faith in Nigeria, eschew inflammatory and divisive tendencies, and act always in the best of our country.
I salute President Jonathan and all our leaders on the occasion of this anniversary. I also especially greet and salute the nation’s armed forces and all the security agencies for their sacrifices and efforts to end the insurgency in the country.
They are doing a very difficult job under terrible circumstances and they deserve nothing less that the appreciation and support of the people. Happy anniversary to all Nigerians.
Here is hoping the 55th anniversary of the country next year will hold out much more to cheer.
MAIL BOX The $ 9.3m embarrassment in South Africa The defence put up by the government on the issue is rather feeble. It requires more indepth explanation than has been given.
Why not simply state what happened if it does not infringe on security? What is hidden from man is clear to God.
It is a pity that Nigeria is inadvertently involved in serial altercations with South Africa.
Efforts should be made to investigate and publish the findings on the Synagogue building collapse to assuage South Africa.
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