NIGERIA AT 62: A GIANT WITH CHALLENGING CRISES AMID OPPORTUNITIES
As Nigeria marks its 62nd anniversary of independence, its citizens are stuck in a general anomie of despondency. This is as a result of general insecurity in the country, rising unemployment and high-cost of living.
It is also an age of anxiety, painting a picture of a nation in great distress.
Nigeria’s economy has been stagnant, growing at less than 1% cumulatively during the past 8 years, far below population growth of 2.6%. It also has about 40% of the population of about 600 million living below the poverty line.
In the North-West, bandits are overwhelming the security forces. In North-Central Nigeria, deadly clashes between farmers and herders continue. And separatist and irredentist agitations resonate in the South-East and the South-West of the country.
This is another day, a moment to celebrate our independence. An independence that we have only gotten on paper, a facade in reality.
Our so-called leaders are still beggars for handouts and aids from foreign nations. We still live in a divide and rule system created by the colonial masters. We are being ruled by our leaders based on our religious and ethnic differences.
We raise up our flags celebrating an independence. An independence we are yet to gain in reality. We do say we are free, free from the colonial masters. No longer in the bondage of a foreign power yet we are still in chains. We are in chains, chains we created by ourselves and for ourselves, getting loose is something that seems like an almost impossibility.
The giants of Africa we are called. How can the giants of Africa be held down? Tied and be in bondage? Those at the top hold the power of the nation. Yeah, they are the leaders. The leaders of the giant of Africa. Leaders leading for themselves and not for the people. I thought leaders ought to be for the people? But in our nation, the opposite case is the order of the day.
Growing up, we were told that “we are the leaders of tomorrow” And now the tomorrow has come but we are no leaders. It has dawned on us the youths that we were told a lie. The leaders of old are still ruling, the leaders I read in my secondary (High) school books are still in power. I’m tempted to say that Nigeria is a failed state anytime it dawns on me that we have leaders in the 20th century still ruling in the 21st Century.
Our youths keep hustling day to day for the daily bread. We were told to get educated so that we can acquire a great future and a comfortable life. We did get educated but at the end of the day, we discovered what we were told was non-existent, a lie.
we kept working hard despite the hard economic and political condition we find ourselves. And at the end of the day we were expecting some accolades but instead, we were called “The Lazy Nigerian Youths” by those in power holding the national cake to themselves alone.
How won’t we be called lazy? When some of us youths are traitors, betraying ourselves and selling our birthrights. Yeah, birthrights are being sold for sheakles. Youths taking bribes to vote and campaign for a given candidate. A candidate not worthy to be in position. Bribes are being taken in exchange for birthrights. We are a great nation whose leaders ain’t only guilty of corruption but also some of the masses that ought to fight it.
We celebrate Independence day raising up and swinging our flags yet we lack stable electricity, good roads and social amenities. Unemployment is the order of the day but we say Happy Independence.
We need a revolution. The Giants Of Africa needs a restructuring. A restructuring of the government. I support Youths in governance. Let the young lead. The leadership shouldn’t remain in the hands of the old, let the young spring forth and grow.
I believe in this nation. I believe in Nigeria. I believe we can make it. The future is bright we do say but let not the future be only bright in our speeches. Let our actions work towards the bright future. Let’s start now, A corrupt lifestyle should be shunned. LET’S THE FAITHFUL AND DESERVING ONES ONLY BE ELECTED INTO POLITICAL POSITIONS.
Let’s stop living and being ruled base on our ethical and religious differences. Voting for leaders shouldn’t be based on who share the same ethnical groups and religious views with us but who is credible enough to serve our great nation.
Nigeria requires a national leadership with the understanding and capability to set the tone and direction for national growth and development. This must incorporate all citizens, irrespective of ethnic or geopolitical affiliation in a grand vision of collective dynamic growth.
A lack of such political leadership denies the country of the possibility of meaningful growth and critical citizenry.
Nigeria remains a country of great potential. The fight is ours. It’s our duties as citizens to make Nigeria the great nation it ought to be. We should cease complaining and fight we our all. Let our might and strength stands up to fight for our beloved nation. For we are not weaklings but giants, not just giants but the giants of Africa. Let’s stand. I’m a Nigerian and I say No to injustice, No to corruption and No to discrimination. We are one Nigerians. We are united. Let Nigeria rise. Let’s get up and fight our limitations. Let’s take a step in setting ourselves loose from the chains we have held ourselves in. Making the Happy Independence we say worthy should be our priority. Nigeria is deserving of it. She is a great nation with great people. Let Nigeria stand.
Daniel Alagor LL.B.,(Hons) FHR
Pro Democracy & Socio Political Activist
