Chief Akpodiogaga Emeyese, former House of Representatives member has said that Nigeria has reason to celebrate at 61 in spite of plethora of challenges in the country.
Emeyese, who represented Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on the occasion of Nigeria’s 61 independence anniversary.
He said that the nation had every right to celebrate if not for anything but for the fact that it was still one and struggling to remain one united country.
“Nigeria is 61 today. Well, I believe we have every right to celebrate if not for anything but the fact that Nigeria is still one and struggling to remain one united country.
“Other than that, if you ask me, there is really not much to celebrate.
“This is more so when you consider the plethora of issues staring us in the face.
“These issues range from high level of insecurity and incessant killings, inflation, falling standard of education, lack of adequate health care, agitation for self determination to mention but a few.”
He attributable th failures to the problem of Leadership.
He noted that after 61 years, Nigeria had yet to overcome its leadership problems.
“It’s most unfortunate that after 61 years Nigeria has not been able to overcome her leadership problems.
“There is no doubt that our leaders have over the years and up to date failed to put Nigeria on the map of the developed nations.
“A visionary and purposeful leadership should have been able to take Nigeria to the promise land considering the numerous human and material resources available in this country.”
Emeyese who is presently the Special Adviser to Delta Government on Community Enterprise noted that the situation in Nigeria had deteriorated.
He said it had reached the point that the leadership could not even boast of fulfilling its cardinal constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizenry.
“Hardly any day passes without a story of unwarranted killings of innocent citizens.
“Nigerians are daily being served with gruesome killings, as breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“Most vexatious and annoying is the fact that these criminals who perpetuate these dastardly acts are roaming the streets of Nigeria as free citizens.
“This happens without any visible efforts by the leadership to investigate, prosecute and possibly bring the culprits to book.
“Thus as we celebrate our 61st independence anniversary today let’s pray for God to provide Nigeria with selfless developmental leaders.
“Those who will not only put Nigeria first before themselves but will equally possess the capability, strength of character and courage to move the country to its desired destination,” he added.
(NAN)