TODAY’S VIEWPOINT IS THE 63RD INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY OF NIGERIA. IT IS WRITTEN BY MICHAEL ADEYEMO OF OUR NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
On Saturday, October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained Independence from British Colonial Rule.
Nigerians, regardless of their socio-political status took to the Streets TO celebrate the Independence of the West African Nation.
For them, Nigeria’s Independence brought about expectations of a glorious future not only for the people who witnessed it, but for their generations to come.
Unfortunately, many did not foresee the bad parts of that glorious future.
The excitement faded away few years after, as a result of series of military interventions, which lingered on for decades.
Those years of the locusts resulted to corruption, abject poverty, kidnappings, poor welfare of workers, bad governance, job losses, unemployment, insecurity and a bad image globally.
Despite the return of Democracy in 1999, Nigeria and its people are still struggling to walk at sixty three, while most of those the voters entrusted with their votes are being selfish and do not have the interest of the people at heart.
On electricity, the nation is still in the era of blackouts, vandalism of electricity facilities, and debts.
In fact, the present government got its own of the problem, when the national grid collapsed in September, 2023.
Many foreign investors have fled Nigeria to neighbouring countries to start their businesses as a result of epileptic power supply in Nigeria.
Naira on its own has continued to fall without support as one US dollar is being exchanged for a little over one thousand naira in September, 2023
The masses will be feeling the pains at marketplaces, because in August 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics reported inflation rate hovering around 24.08 per cent, as the implications stretch beyond the immediacy of elevated prices to the long-term prospects of investment and economic growth.
At 63 years, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC estimates that about twenty billion dollars is lost annually due to corruption, which manifests boldly in underfunded hospitals, dilapidated schools, bad roads, decrepit infrastructure and huge debts.
Also, at 24 years of democracy, elections are characterised with allegations of vote-buying, electoral violence and ballot stuffing.
Incessant strike by labour unions, insecurity is some of the other factors dragging the feet of the sixty three year old black nation.
Fortunately, the present administration has begun moves to improve the economy, as reforms are in the pipeline to bring back to life, the textiles industry, effective railway system, and every viable sector.
However, the nation can actually experience a total rebirth through collaboration of the masses and those in the corridors of powers.
The nation’s political leaders must therefore, be truthful in putting smiles on the face of the common man and must fight corruption without any bias.
Finally, Nigerians would be excited to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day on every first of October if they witness the Nigeria of their dream.
