In my view, a day like this should be a day for sober reflection instead of a day for celebration and or a day for merriment. Let us reflect on where we have gone wrong and make amends. At sixty one years of independence of our dear country we are certainly yet to be “where” we should be in view of our both abundant human and natural resources.
Basic needs is still a major problem to a greater number of Nigerians. A greater number of Nigerians are still ethnic, and regional patriots instead of Nigerian patriots . We are a country with different citizens yet to achieve the status of a Nation-State. There is a consensus that Nigeria is still not at where it should be.There are a lot of arguments on “WHY” our dear country is not at where it should be which includes: ethno-religious question, its structure and leadership question.
Firstly, on ethno-religious issue, some bigots among us erroneously believe that our diversity is a “cog”in the wheel of our country’s progress as well as peaceful co-existance. It is sad to note that instead of using our ethno-religious diversities as a source of strength it is being used as a tool for political manipulation of the masses by the political elite.
As a people as a country we must be aware of the fact that India is the most multi-ethnic and religious country in the world. India has more than one thousand languages and is the most multi religious country in the world yet the country is progressing rapidly. Ethnic homogenity is not a guarantee for peace. Somalia as a country has people with same religious sect and ethnic group yet the country has been having a civil war of about 20 years.
Secondly, on the issue of its structure, some sections of the country have been very vocal on this. Advocates of restructuring are of the view that the structure of Nigeria is responsible for its slow face and or lack of progress. To them restructuring is the only solution to our problem, but however, the problem with the term restructuring is that it does not have a universal meaning even amongst its advocates.There is no consensus on its meaning. It means different thing to different people.
Nigerians need to have a conversation in order to reach a consensus on the issue of restructuring. It is now often being used by our politicians to whip political sentiment. For now it means many things ; such as: Resources control, Devolution of powers, Regional autonomy, and lean central government etc.
Thirdly, leadership question at all levels remains a very serious cog in the wheel of our progress.There is no gainsaying the fact that we have dearth of leaders with some basic qualities ; as such: Patriotism, integrity, accountability, sacrifice, vision, resilience, consistency, commitment, selflessness, purposefulness, result-orientedness.
In my thought , for us to get to the promise land, we must continue to push for leaders with the abundance of the aforementioned qualities at all levels through credible election. In addition, development is not only a function of leadership alone, but also that of patriotic followership. Our dear country needs patriotic citizens to play their on part to enable us get to the promise Land.
No country will develop without patriotic citizens, reliable statistics, development planning, and policy consistency. Our leaders must focus on reliable statistics, strategic development plan, and policy consistency.
One must concede the fact that nation building is not a day job . Our biggest stride so far despite the ups and downs is that the country is still called Nigeria after sixty one years of independence.
May God bless Nigeria!
