Nigeria at 49

Nigeria is a very popular Anglophone nation of the world located at the heart of Africa with large population of citizens in and outside the country. My friend once told me; ‘while away from home, watch around you; there is a Nigerian’. Potentially wise, they are fit. Nigeria ranks high among oil producing nations of the world. It is indeed blessed with rich human and natural resources.

1st October every year is marked as the Independence Day anniversary of Nigeria. Nigeria gained her freedom from the British colonial rulers in the year 1960 and had Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as the first democratically elected president. Independence Day anniversary of Nigeria in the early 70’s and 80’s are very remarkable (when true democracy was practiced to the core) till during the time of late President Shagari.

In the recent time, the situation has turned sour and harsh by the quagmire generated by insidious and mundane military leaders thus putting pressure on the citizens and subjecting them into untold hardship and general poverty. Before year 2000, the then military leader Gen. Abdul salami Abu-Bakr who came into power as a result of the demise of Gen. Sani Abacha peaceful handed over power of leadership and announced the democratic elections be held. On May 29 2000 was another civilian rule as elections were conducted and obscurely won by President Olusegun Obasanjo under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). President Obasanjo stayed in power for four years (first tenure) and again, re-contested vaguely while in power to win for the second tenure in office (i.e. for another four years). All these happened while time flies. Nigerian National dailies and news even from the international media desk have their reports to give about his tenure as the Nigerian president. As if it were enough, the unadulterated magic continues when President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted elongation of power for the third term tenure in office of which most greedy politician joined in his campaign. Thanks to the nations joint prayer and the intervention of the international community which calmed the situation down as Obasanjo accepted to resign in office for another fresh election be conducted in 2007.

Squealers in politics came back to play more fiddle when they told us no other person can rule Nigeria accept PDP candidate, Umar Musa Yar’Adua whom Obasanjo vowed not to loose. This affirmation was magically authenticated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having Morris Iwu as the chairman. Many argued Yar’Adua is Obasanjo in disguise. The nation is really sick to the core as many of her citizens opted so much to quit the land for another for greener pasture. Nigerian Independence Day anniversary is not something to write home about yet a group of politicians and those in the parliamentary have been selected to run as committee for the 2010 event; 2010 Independence Day golden jubilee anniversary (not celebration).

Let it not be that I am strongly criticizing here but let’s hear from other numerous sources from the internet what the situation is like just between year 2007 to 2009. It’s a pity we are not celebrating Independence Day but if you see Nigerians celebrating Independence Day on the media, then know that they really want to cover up their shames. It’s really a pity as reputable people wonder while they are Nigerians. Nigerians have good people no matter what. Most of them refused to identify themselves because of the world’s view about Nigeria. Many of them are world elites and professionals in the Diaspora. Few yet are in the country setting the pace.

Your prayer please for Nigerians as the entire system is overheating. The Nigerian universities and the Academic Staff Unions (ASU) alongside with the national education management board are all on strike  and lots more worries including bank lootings by bank chieftains are seriously raging Nigeria. The entire achievements are disclosed in facets.