It is becoming unbecoming in Nigeria that the centre can no longer hold. Things are falling apart. The question is: When will Nigeria get it right? As you can see, our economy is terrible. We are not productive but consumers. We so much rely on importation of goods and services, instead of increasing our export goods. Inflation in Nigeria has hit 38.8 per cent high. This is because we are being ruled by political marauders who have no ideas on how to manage our resources effectively.
However, Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources, yet we remain as Third World country. Our leaders have failed to rise to their responsibilities. This is why the citizens are suffering and dying in abject poverty. There are so many things going wrong virtually in all sectors of the economy, from agriculture, energy and power, health, oil and gas, education, etc. This could be attributed to leadership failure. Nothing is working to ameliorate the suffering of the people. No good roads, no good potable water, no security, no good health facilities, no constant power supply, and no good quantitive education.
It will be recalled that during the 80s, things were much better than now. There was peace and economic prosperity in Nigeria. We have notable leaders like the late Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Owolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and many others that mean well for the development of this country. Our naira was far stronger than the dollar. We witnessed many visitors coming to Nigeria for tourist attraction. Foreigners were coming to Nigeria searching for greener pastures, and we have seen notable leaders like the Saudi Royal Family and many others accessing our health teaching hospital in Ibadan. But today, the reverse is the case. What amazes me now is that, where did we get it wrong? And if we must get it right, we need to work on our morals, values, ethics, and etiquette as a people.
According to John F. Kennedy in his inaugural speech on January 20th 1961, “ask what can you do for your country, not ask what your country can do for you”. We must continue to strive and contribute towards the development of our nation, Nigeria.
We need to do away with money bag politics and embrace people oriented politics, to get the right leadership that could translate to good governance. And when this is achieved, Nigeria will be great again.
● Kadiri Saliu, writer and political analyst, is based in Abuja. Contact me via kadirisaliu93@gmail.com
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