Certainly, each October 1 is a interval of retrospection on the journey and state of our nation, and like most residents, I’m wondering if there’s something to be celebrated. Nigeria’s 2024 Independence Day reminds us of the ache up to now, the progress made, along with the pursuit of a greater future. To so many Nigerians, October 1 represents greater than only a date. From a hopeful and promising nation at independence in 1960 to passing by political turmoil, and financial struggles, together with youth unemployment and inflation challenges, Nigeria has grown into a number one pressure in Africa and a revered voice inside the comity of countries. Electrical energy continues to be epileptic; the nationwide grid collapsed extra this yr than ever; and over 60 per cent of the nation lives in what the United Nations describes as “multidimensional poverty.”
Whereas many Nigerians have been plunged deeper into poverty attributable to financial insurance policies, the elimination of subsidy and the consequential hike within the value of petroleum merchandise have steep results on companies and have little question, affected livelihoods and survival for the common Nigerian. The speed of inflation continues to struggle with the buying energy of residents, which has inherently decreased the usual and high quality of life. As the road would say “The price of dwelling wan kill the dwelling.” The uncertainties and obvious hardship Nigerians are experiencing is a transparent reflection of management failure. That the financial blues have dampened patriotism of Independence Day celebration is stating the apparent. The streets are bereft and devoid of the standard celebratory ambiance because it was once yester years when the celebration was marked with fanfare and merrymaking throughout the nation the place faculty youngsters, college students, employees, and paramilitary and navy formations would have interaction in vibrant, choreographed parades at native authorities, state and federal ranges. I dare write that Independence Day has misplaced its significance amongst Nigerians. Effectively, for me, rising up, there was once commemorative actions in class, pumped up, able to march in delight, elevating the inexperienced, white, inexperienced flag. Over current years, this has dwindled. There’s a enormous disconnection between many Nigerians and what independence is all about. What we grudged earlier than Independence was that we had been being exploited by the colonial masters, however what has occurred now could be the exploitation by public officers who loot, steal, undermine peace and stability, and make democracy a caricature-independence anniversary as a result of self-rule has not include tangible progress and achievements. Unhappy that these factors within the MKO Abiola marketing campaign tune in 1993 nonetheless resonate and maintain a lot that means after many moons handed. It’s such a disgrace that we nonetheless battle with the identical points that Nigerians complained about then, persisting as a weevil consuming deep into the material of the nation. The maladies battling Nigeria had been infinite, with no potential options in sight for a similar issues which have confronted the nation yr out and in.
A serious essence of our independence again in 1960 was for us to chart our course, but until now, we’re grappling with a whole lot of points and backwardly marching. We continued with regression as each earlier yr at all times takes a flip for the more serious during the last one evidenced by the nation’s unprecedented stage of poverty.
There could be no different clarification for the truth that some 44 years in the past, Nigeria was boasting of a reasonably good Airline-the Nigeria Airways with a fleet of plane flying far and vast in a number of corners of the globe. Within the Nineteen Eighties, the Naira was at par with the greenback; as we speak, as I write, one greenback is roughly N1700. We had in these days, a nationwide transport line that had in its fleet a number of vessels that competed favourably with different transport traces all through the world. A nation that had strategic Paper Mills across the nation however now imports all its paper merchandise; a nation that had Metal Rolling Mills in Katsina, Osogbo, and Jos together with Ajaokuta, however had all of them deliberately crippled and hijacked by grasping capitalists. How did we get right here? Ah, certainly there was a rustic! What of the mass exodus of vibrant youth from the nation? Japa as they may say a Yoruba phrase which means to flee. Sure, escape poverty, infrastructure decay, insecurity, and unemployment. Why ought to it’s the dire dream of a younger Nigerian to flee Nigeria with the considerable human and pure and nationwide sources now we have? How for much longer will we proceed to lose our brains to this recalcitrant japa syndrome? The reminiscence of colonial rule and the wrestle for self-rule continues to be recent on this nation. Ethnic conflicts, political turmoil, and financial woes have typically hijacked the journey of Nigeria. inter-communal violence and corruption nonetheless inflict ache in a number of communities. This is not going to solely have an effect on the alternatives of the residents in life, however it can additionally discourage overseas buyers, due to the shortage of primary and essential infrastructures within the financial panorama which might make it engaging to spend money on. The nation’s scenario could also be vital however actually not hopeless with these numerous challenges. Nigeria has performed comparatively effectively. The nation has been bettering in expertise and entrepreneurship, with a energetic startup scene developing, particularly in cities like Lagos. Flawed from conception, now we have a nation with nice potential to face among the many finest economies of the world. We’ve got had nice moments when our nation did us proud on the worldwide stage by the trade of our sportsmen and ladies, the prolific distinction of our academia, and the top-notch artistry of Nigerian skills within the international music scene. It was then a harsh financial system with different challenges, however amidst all these, I additionally imagine our issues will not be past resolution. However each time, propelled by the identical unwavering imaginative and prescient of 1 united and affluent nation, we got here out stronger. Independence Day comes with a brand new look towards nation-building and unity. The seek for good governance, accountability, and social justice is one cardinal quest. Younger Nigerians, outfitted with training and digital instruments, have change into vocal in advocating for change as they attempt to create a future worthy of the sacrifices made by their forefathers whereas forging a extra equitable society. The 2024 event may even function a reminder of our resilience, a name to reflection upon our previous, a recognition of progress, and recommitment towards the pursuit of a Nigeria that lives as much as its promise for all residents. Reflection on the hurdles surmounted as a nation; reaffirming these core values that guided us by earlier years. It has taken 64 years for the nation to know its issues, however clearly, options appear elusive. As we view the scorecard, Independence Day is a time for reflection on our journey, however the potentialities and alternatives forward outnumber the challenges that we face.
This can be a second of reflection and new hope as we mark the journey of the nation of Nigeria, which has been resilient, robust, and relentlessly decided to face every kind of daunting challenges and rise above all obstacles. Reflecting on the bumpy journey and proffering workable options on the way in which ahead are important for the event of the nation. The next are a number of the factors to contemplate in growing the nation: Financial diversification by agriculture and expertise. The nation must spend money on sustainable agriculture and expertise startups which are going to cut back overdependence on oil reserves. Infrastructure Growth: Enchancment of roads, energy provide, and web entry will go a protracted option to make enterprise actions clean. Good Governance and Accountability: Strengthening Establishments: To fight corruption, there’s a have to develop establishments which are practical and impartial.
Political Participation: Encourage youth involvement in politics as a approach of guaranteeing that their concepts, opinions, and calls for are taken on board at each stage of decision-making.Safety and Stability-Neighborhood policing: Constructing belief between the police and communities to make them safer. The street to progress will likely be a collective journey of the federal government, civil society, and residents all pulling collectively. In sum, these areas need to be the fulcrum by which Nigeria can hope for a really affluent, all-inclusive, and steady future because it celebrates true independence. There isn’t any approach the nation can enhance its productive actions and create jobs with out participating the non-public sector.” By this, we are able to have fun true independence that displays financial growth in no distant years to come back.Awe, a Lawyer wrote from Lagos.
