Nigeria @ 56: Any cause to cheer

Nigeria celebrated its 56th independence anniversary on Saturday, October 1 last week. Like the previous ones, the occasion served as a period of stock taking and appraisal of our economy and political history. The country at 56th, we are yet to get it right. Our political elites have continued to shower encomium and accolades to […]

Nigeria celebrated its 56th independence anniversary on Saturday, October 1 last week. Like the previous ones, the occasion served as a period of stock taking and appraisal of our economy and political history. The country at 56th, we are yet to get it right. Our political elites have continued to shower encomium and accolades to the first generation leaders for their unrivalled commitment to the peace, unity and development of the country. The likes of Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory sacrificed their political difference for the county to attain its much needed greatness. At 56th, we are still grappling with erratic power supply, infrastructural decay and above all monster of corruption. These multi-facet problems have retarded our growth and economic prosperity. At 56, we are still lamenting about our political and economic woes. These self-inflicted problems have refused to vanish in other to pave the way for more robust economy integration. The countries we started with them or attained political independence have moved fastest than us.  Unfortunately, our 17 years of uninterrupted democratic rule has failed to address the challenges of nation building. At 56, the country is facing the worst security challenges in its history. The country is waging a serious battle with Boko Haram insurgents, indigenous people of Biafra, the Niger Delta Avengers, herdsmen/farmers crises and cattle rustlers which pose great danger to corporate existence of the country . At 56years, unemployment has continued to surge. Also worrisome, is the recent call for political and economic restructuring of the country. These and many unidentified problems attested to the fact, Nigeria is yet to get it right.  Our political leaders should eschew political apathy and work collectively for peace, unity and progress of the country.

Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State.