Still Crawling At 53
On Tuesday 1st October, 2013 Nigeria, the “giant” of Africa celebrated her 53 years of independence. Nigeria gained her political autonomy from the British Empire in 1st October 1960. Since then Nigeria runs her own affairs.
Between 1960 and 2013, Nigeria as a nation has witnessed different types of Governance ranging from Parliamentary, Presidential, Interim National Government, Military to Diarchy.
Unequivocally, despite the different administrative and governmental systems, Nigerians are yet to enjoy the dividends of self-rule.
Biological speaking, a man who attains the age of 53 is matured enough to provide for his daily needs. Though since Nigeria became an independent nation, several governments who had governed the nation have tried their best to ensure that they initiate policies and programmes that would put smiles on the faces of the citizenry. But it is sad to state that government’s efforts are yet to attract the needed development into the country.
It is very disheartening that 53 years after the nation’s independence, Nigerians are still struggling with the basic necessities of life namely: shelter, food, and clothing. Our economy sector is highly rotten. There is no sector of the nation’s economy that is doing well. The education, health, judiciary and the transportation sectors are decaying day by day. For months lecturers in the university system are on strike, demanding for better pay package.
At 53 Nigerians are still traveling abroad for medical treatment. Very close observation shows that our leaders are not interested in the way and the manner in which Nigerians are going about their daily activities. The country cannot boost of uninterrupted 24 hours power supply. Doubtlessly, electricity is essential in the development of any given nation. One may be forced to ask; how can both foreign and indigenous businessmen or women would invest without adequate power supply? And other reason why serious minded investors fail to do business in Nigeria is as a result of insecurity. There is so much security challenges in the country, especially the issue of Boko Haram.
It is our earnest prayer that our political leaders should come out with better developmental programmes that would ensure total economic emancipation and positive transformation, as the nation clocks 53. ####
