 Last week, our dear nation Nigeria marked her 48th Independence Anniversary.
As usual, the occasion of the nation’s Independence Anniversary celebration offered another opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the state of affairs in the country.
At a time like this, certain questions become pertinent: How has Nigeria faired in the economic and political spheres? Why is the country still under-developed after 48 years of nationhood? Why can’t Nigeria generate enough electricity to power the industries in the country? Why is the cost of education still not affordable to the average Nigerian?
Indeed, the questions are legion, but the answer can be found in one simple word-patriotism.
After 48 years of nationhood, the most pertinent question is, where do we go from here?
Nigeria is our fatherland, we have no other country except Nigeria. Therefore, it behoves on all of us to begin to realign our minds towards repositioning the country on the path of greatness.
Events in the world today makes it imperative for Nigerians to begin to broaden their minds on how best to move the nation forward.
The American economy is in shambles today and economic analysts have said it will have a spiral effect on the economies of other nations, especially developing countries like ours.
This is the time to strengthen Nigeria’s economic capacity. Both the government and the organized private sector should work hand-in hand to establish new industries. The manufacturing sector should be adequately funded to expand the nation’s production capacity
Inadequate power supply has been the bane of industrialization in this country. It is however heartening that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has made electricity generation as one of his seven-point agenda.
The government can no longer afford to continue to pay lip service to the problem of poor electricity supply in Nigeria. This is the time to act decisively.
Infrastructural development, creation of employments and the drive for Information Technology should be vigorously pursued by government.
Money accruing from oil revenue should be judiciously utilised to construct new roads, build hospitals, schools, and provide equipment for the security agencies.
The nation’s democratic system must be strengthened through electoral reform and the strict adherence to the rule of law.
This is why Nigerians of all political persuasions should join hand with the ruling government to move the nation forward.
Political parties in Nigeria should put their partisan interest aside when issues of national interest such as the nation’s economy, security and peace are being debated.
After 48 years, we cannot afford to totter behind other developing and developed nations. Our nation Nigeria has the potentials to be great. What the nation needs
today is the political will to do things in the proper way.
All government businesses should be carried out in a most transparent and honest way. Those entrusted with the economy of the nation must eschew corruption while public office holders must be accountable to the people at all times.
Let us be proud of our fatherland because we have no other country but Nigeria. President Yar’Adua is the people’s choice for now and we must all do what we can to help the president and his team to move the nation forward.
The journey may seem long and tough, but with the unity of purpose, determination, sincerity, honesty, accountability, hard work, love and faithfulness, we will arrive at our destination as a truly independent nation.
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