Much to worry as Nigeria celebrates its 57th independence anniversary

Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari with UN chief Antonio Guterres in New York. Some say Buhari has made life difficult for Nigerians. PHOTO | ANGELA WEISS | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The world’s most populous black nation is blessed with human and natural resources.

  • She is celebrated for professionals, footballers, musicians, movies and other things.

  • There is also the dark side of drug peddling, corruption, prostitution and militancy.

  • The huge population is a blessing in terms of workforce and market for goods and services.

The significance of independence day celebration is that it looks at a nation’s journey towards self reliance.

Nigerians in Kenya gather at Marist International University College, Nairobi on Sunday to celebrate our country’s 57th independence anniversary.

There is, however, much to worry about and less to celebrate, given insecurity, secessionist agitation, labour unrests and recession.

The world’s most populous black nation is blessed with human and natural resources. She is celebrated for professionals, footballers, musicians, movies and other things.

There is also the dark side of drug peddling, corruption, prostitution and militancy.

IMPATIENT

Nigerians are growing impatient with their “suffering and smiling” outlook. Frustrations will grow if steps are not taken to save the situation.

The country has many ethnic groups. The beauty of this is rich cultural diversity, huge population and natural resources.

The ugly side of the diversity shines forth when it comes to administration, meeting the needs and aspirations of the population and resource exploration, allocation and management. 

In administration, we consider leadership, government appointments, access to power, inclusivity, services and other elements. Do ethnic groups have a sense of belonging? The Ibo, for instance, feel marginalised, hence the Biafra agitation.

CREATE JOBS

The huge population is a blessing in terms of workforce and market for goods and services. This also naturally translates into a need to create jobs and provide social amenities.

When the needs are not met, lawlessness should not come as a surprise. Boko Haram is a fruit of dirty politics, illiteracy and joblessness shrouded in the veil of religion.  

Our natural resources are not evenly distributed. Militancy in the Niger Delta is a fight for economic justice. 

President Muhammadu Buhari has been criticised for making life difficult for Nigerians. The hardship is the result of efforts to redeem the economy from ailments that have sapped out its blood.  

Every Nigerian has a duty to act in the spirit of our national anthem to realise the dreams of our founding fathers. We are the answers to our prayers!