There is no doubt that on October 1st, 1960, Nigerians were agog with joy and aspirations of a better society, when Nigeria became an independent federation, having gained independence from British colonial rule,
The country is now a few days over 62 years old as an independent nation and it has been a chequered history from 1960 till date.
At independence in 1960, the country flourished economically with abundance of natural and human resources, leading others in the continent in terms of political, mineral and agricultural economy.
The country’s economic prosperity came by leaps and bounds, so much so that other African countries looked up to Nigeria as a big brother in times of need.
Politically, the country was in the fore-front for the liberation of other countries in Africa.
Unfortunately, the fortunes of the country blessed with great potentials in the course of its journey, took a nosedive leaving most of its citizenry to languish in poverty.
As the vices of insecurity, kidnapping, ill-perceived killing of innocent citizens, diminishing value of human life, including social injustice took the front seat in the scheme of things in the country, as people are just being grateful for life.
In a chat with the former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, he notes that Nigeria is not where it is supposed to be.
“If we want to get it right, we must work on our constitution, to give more responsibility to sub-national. The responsibility the federal government is carrying is too heavy for her, that is why there is heavy corruption at the national level.
“The federal government has over 500 agencies she is funding. These should be streamlined, and the local government and states do more of these jobs. That is the only solution. If we don’t do so, this country can never grow,” he said adding that people are not seeing the danger in not restructuring the country.
For Senator Femi Okurounmu, the country is not anywhere near where it is supposed to be as a nation, and instead getting worse by the day, stating Nigeria
is almost a failed state.
To get it right, he said Nigerians must make use of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, to elect good leaders with vision that can transform and industrialise the country.
“I expect Nigerians to forget about their present poverty level. If they look at their poverty, they will be tempted to take money and vote for the highest bidder. If they take money and vote for the highest bidder, they are going to continue compounding their woes.
“The highest bidders are those that are oppressing them. They give them peanuts and after collecting the peanut, they subject them to servitude and poverty for the next eight years.’’
