Stethoscoping Nigeria’s well being at 61, resuscitating its fading hope

BLESSING AKOROWOSI, Osogbo

As the British Union Jack was lowered and the green-white-green flag raised on October 1, 1960, Nigerians jubilated at the attainment of their Independence.

While the celebration was ongoing, some sections frowned, dreading the independence as they felt they weren’t ripe for such.

The 61 years journey has been characterised by records of failures and successes. Nigerians have looked back and asked– how did we arrive on this menial path? Are we still the giant of Africa nations look up to? Where do we go from here?

Conversing with Daily Champion, stakeholders in the society have examined the situation of the nation, proffered workable solutions to its challenges and called for genuine love for the nation’s progress.

‘We got it wrong when military men intervened in Nigeria’s democratic process’

The demeaning state of the nation was been blamed on the intervention of the military in the democratic process in 1966.

The Lead Bishop of Worldwide Anglican Church in Nigeria and Spokesman of World Bishops Council, Africa Chapter, Bishop Seun Adeoye, in an interview with our correspondent spoke on the basis of the nation’s misfortune.

Bishop Adeoye said, “I will say we started brilliantly as a nation, the hope of our fathers was so high and we were able to see this as reflected in the wonderful performances of those leaders who took over from the colonial masters.

“We got it wrong when the military boys intervened in the nation’s democratic process firstly between 1966 and 1979. That was a long period. By 1983 they were back again until 1999. The military junta were unlearned in the art of governance and had to use force through the barrel of guns to rule. The military boys were at the helms of affairs during the nation’s economic boom. So, they mismanaged Nigeria. They pleased no one but themselves. Unfortunately, the junta ruined Nigeria and led it out of a true federal system to a unitary system of government.

“Till now, we are still licking the old wound of ruins brought upon us by the junta. Who led us into civil war? Who led us into economic misfortune? Who led us into political crisis? Who led us into ethnic profiling and the present deep division? Of course, the military junta did all these. No wonder, we see many people today clamouring for a return to true federalism and some urging us to return to regionalism as it was at the inception of Nigeria independence.”

The cleric charged Nigerians to call for a dialogue in order to discuss the way forward, as he said, “we can get it right only if we are ready to return to our Bethel.

“Nigerians must take the nation back by sitting round the table to discuss the way forward. The foundation laid was solid but what was built on it was the problem. I am not sure many people want Nigeria to be pulled down. What I know is that the current agitations for self-rule by some elements in parts of the country would be put to check if a conference is convened to look at certain things about this country.”

‘Nigeria lacks leadership with clear vision’

Speaking on the leadership of the country, the World Bishops Council Spokesperson averred that Nigeria lacks leadership with a clear vision. He decried the lies told by politicians before coming into power, adding that he had predicted the country’s woes in 2019.

He said: “In 2019, I personally issued a statement informing the populace that Muhammed Buhari’s reelection will bring a double portion of suffering compared to his first term when I was forced to stage a one-man rally in less than a year of his government against his anti-peoples policies.

“Generally, this is the worst government I have ever witnessed in the history of this country. The gladiators then wanted us to see one incorruptible saint who will turn Nigeria around. They forgot that it is only God that can be the best ruler.”

Bishop Adeoye, however, called for justice, fairness and equality in the forthcoming election, stressing that it is unjustified for the Igbos to be kept out of the nation’s highest office. “It is not appropriate that for 61 years of Nigeria independence, nobody from that region has spent a year at the top echelon of this nation.”

The revered cleric thereafter urged Nigerians to believe in the progress of the nation and stop destroying it with their tongues. “Whatsoever we say this nation is will be what it is. Let’s learn to make positive comments about our dear country Nigeria.

“I also urge all citizens to actively participate politically and ensure we get the best man for the job in 2023,” he said.

‘Insensitivity of leaders to citizens’ welfare has increased crime rate, flopped the economy’

A human rights activist, Olowu Emmanuel ascribed the increase in the crime rate in the country to the insensitivity of the leaders to the plight of the citizens.

Emmanuel stated that the three levels of government must change their present strategy of governance by taking industrialization and the welfare of its citizen seriously, as this will reduce the economic tension faced by the nation today.

He frowned at the violation of fundamental human rights of the masses by security agents and unemployment flopping the country’s economy as it clocks 61.

“Industrialization of the country and welfare programs will properly engage the citizen which will improve their economic life.

“The government has to roll out a policy that will ensure that the Nigerian workforce is well utilized so that the input of the Nigerian workforce will be commensurate with the salary paid to them as well as benefits due.

“The government has to immediately invest in the development of its economic environment as that will attract investors who will invariably give employment to citizens in the private sector as that will reduce the number of personnel in the workforce of the government. The country should become investment-friendly whereby citizens can benefit and goods will be exported for sale.”

Advising the government on the incessant strikes and unretiring agitations, the human rights activist said, “listen to the demands of the people, identify the reason for their agitations which include; bad governance, high rate of corruption, wastage of resources, placing politics above competencies, Marginalization amongst others. Then, call for a referendum, review of the 1999 Constitution, abolish the presidential system of government and let true federalism begin.”

‘Nigeria has not grown its education for economic development’

As Nigeria continues to add up universities, both public and private, its education is yet to be grown for economic development.

Dr Tunji Ogunyemi, a don at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife said the above, decrying the insufficient allocation from the government in relation to the cost of running tertiary institutions.

He said: “In education, we are moving very fast slowly. In other words, we are making haste very slowly. There is no doubt that Nigeria has grown in the education sector, but we have only grown in quantity.

“We have not grown in what we call appropriate education for the economic development. What I mean by that is that if you calculate the total number of universities, from 1960, we have grown.

“About 61 years ago, we don’t even have a university. The University of Ibadan then was just a college, not a university. It did not gain its full strength as a university until 1963. But even we calculate it as a university. We had only one university 61 years ago. Today, we have 187 universities; 45 of them are federal. So, you will not say we have not grown in that area. We have grown!

“In the year 1960, the total number of graduates in Nigeria whether abroad or inside Nigeria was just 84. Today, they are in their hundreds of thousands. That is even if we don’t include some Polytechnics. You also will not say that is not growth. Growth means a quantitative increase in the value of a thing, but development means both quantitative and qualitative progress in the value of a thing. We have actually achieved none. That is why funding of the universities in Nigeria is inadequate.

“In fact, the least funded universities in Nigeria, it will surprise you, are the private universities. A lot of businessmen have gone to establish private universities, thinking that they are sources of income, not knowing that universities are a minimum of 50 years of continuous investment without turning in any profit.

“Obafemi Awolowo University is just in its first phase. It was in the zero phase for the first 50 years. We are just in the first phase of development, and we have been in existence now for 60 years. So, what that means, in essence, is that the quality of our education, in terms of the exportability of the value of our graduates has nosedived.”

‘Nigeria has made a lot of progress under presidential system’

Looking back and diving into Nigeria’s achievements, a legal practitioner, Adebayo Adekola positioned that the nation has made a lot of progress under the presidential system of government.

In his words, “It would be very wrong to make the assertion that Nigeria is not making any progress with the present presidential system of government due to its expensive nature without putting some indexes or parameters forward. What are the parameters we are using to measure the progress made by Nigeria under the two systems of goverment?

“Progress under each system of government is relative. Likewise, the costs and impacts are relatives. For instance, lesser legislators under parliamentary democracy may not necessarily mean inclusive grassroots participation.

“Therefore, we should measure progress made under each system by Nigeria against set goals by the citizenries or the government under each system. Nigeria has made a lot of progress under a presidential system. Although slowly.”

Adekola called for sincere collective effort in the development of the country as he consented that the nation needs to get things right.

“Don’t forget that all facets of Nigeria are linked one way or the other. The good or bad in one would rob off on the other. We need our collective efforts,” he charged.

‘Every citizen must be patriotic for change to occur’

Speaking on the solution to the numerous challenges faced by Nigeria, a former Commissioner of information and strategy in Osun State, Hon. Sunday Akere charged Nigerians to be patriotic.

“As much as the government is trying to bring an end to insecurity, unemployment, reduce poverty and others, we discover that the Nigerian system in us is always thwarting the efforts of the Nigerian government at getting the solutions to our problems.

“I think at 61, what we should all decide as Nigerians is that we would allow the love of our nation reign supreme in our hearts. We should do away with the old Nigerian system and allow every positive intention of the government to come to reality.

“Also, those that are in power should rule with sincerity of purpose and let us all know and believe that genuinely the love of the country is in their hearts,” he said.

‘Make up your mind to fix this country’

Akere dug into history, explaining how some citizens in 1960 said they weren’t ready for independence, “we got it wrong all from the onset even when we started as a nation Nigeria.

“For us to get out of this quagmire, what we need to do as a nation is to make up our mind that we want to fix the problems confronting this country as a nation. Nigeria has the resources. We have the ability. Across the world today, the majority of the scientific innovations we are witnessing, even in most of these developed countries are done by Nigerians.

“And we now ask ourselves the question– why can’t we as Nigerians do things right in our own country? One, for us as people at the grassroots if you want to put people in the position of authority, vote the people you want to represent you. Not that you will receive anything from them before you cast your vote for them. The moment you do that, you have completely mortgaged your right to call them to question if they are not doing what is expected of them.

“We might not have got to where we want, but very soon with time, we will get there,” the politician concluded.

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