By all accounts, efforts made by most Nigerian leaders to keep the nation united in spite of various challenges in the last 55 years after independence are exceptional.
Many optimists note that although the aspirations of the founding fathers have not been fully met, significant progress has been made to ensure that Nigeria remains an indivisible sovereign entity.
Nigeria‘s Consul-General to South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, is one of such optimists who believe that the country has done reasonably well in the last 55 years.
She, nonetheless, urged Nigerians to use the nation‘s 55th independence anniversary as a period for sober reflection on the country’s future.
According to her, the independence anniversary requires low key celebration to enable Nigerians reflect on the current challenges facing the country.
“Nigeria is facing austere times and President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to turning the economy around.
“ I appeal to Nigerians in South Africa and our brothers and sisters at home to bear with government and appreciate the fact that Nigeria is going through difficult times,’’ she said.
Ajulu-Okeke also advised Nigerians to use the celebration to plan on how to redirect the country to the path of growth and development in order to assume continental leadership.
In the same vein, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, the President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, urged Buhari to appoint capable hands that would move the country forward.
“Nigerians residents in South Africa are expecting a turnaround of the economy. We want adequate infrastructure, stable power supply and strengthening of the institutions that support democracy,’’ he said.
Anyene said Nigerians in South Africa were hopeful of a new country under the leadership of Buhari.
Expressing similar optimism on the future of the country, Dr Emeka Okereke, the Director-General of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, called for the devolution of powers to states for effective development.
“Let the states activate the resources in their areas. That is where people will make valued contributions to Nigeria as a nation.
“Because the centre is still very strong, the states and local governments are all looking up to the centre for everything and that is why we are not advancing the way we should.
“The president should surrender some aspects of the executive list like mining and mineral exploration to states and you will see a great change,’’ he stressed.
The economist also called for political restructuring of the country, which he said, was also part of devolution of powers.
“Devolution of powers is part of political restructuring. Restructuring is very important; it does not mean to divide Nigeria but for us to cohabit with one another.
“We have not come out from the primordial Nigeria where tribalism, ethnicity and religion are the order of the day,’’ he observed.
Irrespective of these observations, Buhari, in his message at independence anniversary, noted that with unity of purpose, Nigeria had all the attributes of a great nation.
“We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose.
“This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress.
“Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.
“That we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate this and try to consolidate.
“The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system.
“Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Goodluck Jonathan for not digging-in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.
“As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions.
“I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation,’’ Buhari said.
Admitting that every new government inherits problems, the president directed a complete audit of all revenue generating agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigerian Customs Service, for better service delivery to the nation.
“Prudent housekeeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices.
“It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources that are important.
“You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about.
“We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices.
“To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens,’’ the president stressed.
Acknowledging Buhari’s concern for the future of the country, Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (Abia-PDP), urged Nigerians to be patriotic and have faith in the future of the country.
Sharing similar sentiments, Rep. Aisha Dukku (Gombe-APC), lauded the efforts of the Nigerian military in restoring peace in the North East zone of the country.
In his view, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, said that although Nigeria had faced multifarious challenges, Nigerians had cause to celebrate.
“I will urge our people to use this period to give thanks to God for keeping the country united, in spite of many upheavals and prophecies of doom.
“Happy times are here again. Rather than grieving over problems and challenges facing the country, Nigerians must, as a matter of necessity, move away from lamentation and hopelessness.
“As leaders, we are aware of the task before us as there is so much work to do which requires sacrifice by all Nigerians.
“Thus we will plead with our people not to lose hope in their leaders as most nations have passed through similar challenges and emerged stronger.
“I have strong hope and conviction that Nigeria, will also overcome these challenges. This too, shall pass away and happy times will be here again,’’ the speaker said.
By and large, analysts solicit purposeful leadership to consolidate the gains of the country’s existence for the past 55 years.
They note that with people’s support for the present administration and unity among Nigerians, the country will experience tremendous transformation.(NANFeatures)
