At the birth of every nation comes fresh dreams, new aspirations of things to come and a great hope of the future in a free nation. Independence gives the right and power of self-governance and with it,
The greatest opportunity for the new nation to carve it own path and determine its own destiny. And for Nigeria, there is no exception.
It has been fifty-four years after independence and still a lot more to be desired, a story of dashed hopes, fading dreams, uncertain future and daily struggle to live above one dollar for majority of the masses, fifty-four long years of journey to nowhere. At fifty-four the nation is still underdeveloped or at best – a developing nation.
How will the heroes of our independence feel in their graves right now seeing the current state of the country whose freedom they fought hard to get?
Nigeria is no doubt a great country with immense potentials but whose leadership is in wrong and incapable hands, people with no understanding of responsibility and accountability.
A nation blessed with competent human, natural and material resources the likes of which only few countries on earth can boast of but its leaders with stolen mandates and lost conscience.
Certainly and without a doubt, there have been some remarkable developmental progress in some areas of our social lives but what we have achieved thus far pale in comparison to what we have the capacity to do in respect to the enormous potential the coutry possess.
To say our leaders are bereft of ideas maybe clearly an understatement, no desire for growth, only passion for power and positions; greed for looting public funds.
Promises at election campaigns have become mere rhetoric and corruption in deeply engrained in the fabrics of the nation’s leadership.
Sometimes I think perhaps we Nigerians are too greedy for asking our government to provide us basic amenities like clean drinking water, stable and steady power supply, good and passable roads,quality and affordable education, security of lives and properties.
Or in the developed countries of the world, is it not the citizens that provide such for themselves? So why should expect such from our leaders here?
Perhaps we should be grateful to our leaders for looting and embezzling public funds, for living flamboyant lifestyles while the masses live in poverty, for rigging elections and upturning the masses choice year-in, year-out.
Obviously without a doubt, the average Nigerian citizens have some roles to play for our current state of nationhood. A lack of interest in national affairs or maybe a clear resignation in face of hopelessness, a biased and selfish interest in the name of survival; only pitching their tents where they can get kobo to survive on.
Yes of course, the nation has had its fair share of trying times; yes of course the country has battled tough challenges to its existence over the years;
yes of course the country is currently facing perhaps its toughest challenges yet at the wake of an insurgency that is unprecedented, that threatens its existence to the core.
But however, at fifty-four, we should have defined a true path for our future, we should have clearly been on the way to greatness even if we are not there yet, we should have seen the brilliant flashes of our desired future as a nation.
To take us from where we are currently to where we ought to be is only a matter of clear resolve and resolute determination for growth and development from the leaders and masses as well.
It should be a combination of collective effort and participatory leadership, clearly definition of intent. The masses should understand its role in the development of our nation and the leadership should wake up from its slumber,
Wake up to decisive steps and actions and match promises with corresponding actions.
We should make concerted efforts at taming the monster of corruption that is killing and dragging us into the abyss of destruction. There must be willingness and sincerity from both government and the people at restoring our nation to the path of true greatness.
From north to south, east to west, everyone should feel the true impact of a free and independent nation.
Nigeria can be great, will be great no doubt but we must pay the needed sacrifice to earn our place among the great nations of the world.
Happy Independence Anniversary Nigeria!
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