LOKOJA – Nigerians on Tuesday expressed mixed feelings about the country’s political and economic growth, as it prepared for the 54th Independence Anniversary on Oct. 1.
A cross section of those who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda while others urged the government to address security challenges.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in Lokoja, Mr Adelodun Obaseki, said Nigerians had every reason to celebrate the independence.
Obaseki said “God has always been by our side.’’
He said the level of developments the nation had experienced in the last few decades could not be over-emphasised.
Obaseki said the ruling party had proved itself to be a party all Nigerians should embrace.
Obaseki said in recent times, the nation had witnessed a lot of infrastructure developments in all aspects of life.
Another resident, Mr Salaudeen Mohammed, said the nation had no reason to celebrate because of the security challenges facing the country.
“At 54, Nigeria still depends on importation of domestic goods, building materials and many other things,’’ Mohammed said.
He urged political leaders and governments at all levels to shun corruption and work for the betterment of the nation.
A driver, Mr. Samuel Elian, expressed concern about the poor conditions of the state and federal roads in the country, especially in Kogi.
He urged governments to do the necessary things in ensuring that Nigerians enjoyed the benefits of independence by providing basic amenities.
A civil servant, Mrs Eletta Awoniyi, said Nigerians should indeed celebrate the unity of the nation at 54, in spite of the security challenges in the country.
“Nigerians should join hands in the spirit of oneness and support our President Goodluck Jonathan in the fight against the enemy of our nation called Boko Haram.”
Similarly, scores of stakeholders in Osun commended the Federal Government for its efforts against terror.
NAN reports that Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world and the largest political entity in Africa, became an independent nation on Oct. 1, 1960 from the British colonial masters
Some commentators and political analysts also in Osogbo extolled Nigerians for their doggedness against all odds.
The National Coordinator of Advocacy for Peace Initiative, Mr. Olaniyi Owolabi, stressed the need for all Nigerians to thank God and live together in peace at this moment.
Owolabi said that the continuity of the country, in spite of enormous challenges that confronted it since independence, is a clear testimony that Nigeria would remain indivisible. [eap_ad_2] ‘’At 54, we should be grateful to God for keeping us together as a nation; not many countries like ours are too lucky to remain one after all these challenges that confronted us since 1960.
‘’That is why we should continue to support and commend the Federal Government’s fight against insurgency rather than trading blame; its efforts so far deserve commendation,’’ he said.
Also, a civil rights activist, Mr Segun Adifala, said it required a lot of courage to be a president of a nation at war with extremists fighting on the basis of ideology.
He said that war against terrorists was the most difficult warfare in history, and called for collective efforts of all Nigerians to win.
Adifala, however, enjoined the military to sustain the current victory over the Boko Haram and urged the government to motivate the soldiers appropriately.
The former students’ leader at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Saburi Akinola, called for more participation of the youth in governance.
According to him, the country has reached the stage where governance should attract more energetic and individuals rather than recycling a set of people for decades.
‘’As I join the rest of the world in congratulating Nigeria for its 54th birthday anniversary, I wish to state here that we must be more dynamic in governance as we grow in age.
‘’No nation grows and develops accordingly without the inclusion of the younger generation in decision-making process.
‘’Governance becomes dynamic and sophisticated when more fresh ideas are injected.
‘’Our journey of 54 years is enough for us to change the pattern of governance and prepare the youth for leadership position; the present level of youth participation in governance is worrisome.’’
