NIGERIA AT 62: EVALUATING OUR WINS, SHORTCOMINGS AND PROSPECTS AS A NATION
While the entire room reveled in a wild frenzy, the venerable man went to a corner by his lonesome, not minding that everyone had gathered in his name, and began to recount his life's experiences. He would wince when he recalls the fatally wrong decision he made a few years back, shake his head when he remembers all the disappointments he's had, and cringe at his setbacks. After much thinking, the 62-year-old man beamed a smile as he began to reminisce his wins and successes, milestones and accomplishments. Garbed in a new resolve, he then emerged from his self-imposed confinement and joined the others in the celebration. It was the sexagenarian's birthday and all he needed was to enjoy the moment rather than brood and sulk.
Like the 62-year-old man, Nigeria has gone through so much turmoil and countless failures in the course of her relatively nascent history. Since 1960, the country has continuously been fraught with diverse challenges and predicaments. Torn apart by an unprecedented civil war, millions of lives were lost and thousands were displaced. With promises of a fresh start and a new beginning, our hopes were further dashed by a series of failed administrations. Public corruption and embezzlement, cybercrime, unemployment, infrastructural decay, terrorism and banditry, among other issues and vices have taken hold of our dear nation, sadly.
But now that the nation appears to have collapsed and everyone seems to be complaining, and understandably so, are we going to let the only glimmer of hope left dissipate while focusing only on our problems? Just like our sexagenarian, we must not only count our losses but also acknowledge our blessings while fixing our gaze on the future. Nigeria, despite its drawbacks, has made commendable strides with her booming tech and entertainment industries. Rich in both human and natural resources, Nigeria has proven to the world that a black nation can influence on a global scale. Outstanding personalities like the eminent Adichie, spectacular Amusan, extraordinary Burna and the distinguished Iweala have commendably etched Nigeria on the global map and those are national treasures and gems worth celebrating. The increasing political participation and recent electoral reforms (the passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill into law) are good prospects that bode well for the future of our democracy and they are developments we must also celebrate.
As we celebrate our 62nd Independence Anniversary today, we must remember that we all have a role to play in building back Nigeria and returning her lost glory and I dare say we can collectively put Nigeria back in her lost position as the Giant of Africa. A Nigeria with effective and accountable leadership, proper administration, efficient systems and institutions, and respect for democratic ideals is achievable only if we would focus on the future. Like former American president, Lyndon B. Johnson, sagely said, “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”
Happy Independence Day!
