Nigeria: 50 years of what? By Benedict Ahanonu
Nigeria jagaga, so did Idris sing and he is right. A land of injustice, lack of fair play and equity, where the end justifies the means and things have fallen apart.
Currently, there has been much hype about Nigeria's 50 years of nationhood by both the media and the public in form of celebratory programmes and promotions.
The three tiers of government are not left out of the hullabaloo. It has been christened "Nigeria's golden jubilee" and everybody is busy trying to concoct one phoney proposal or the other towards this mundane celebration.
Nigeria is 50, yes! That is a milestone at least we are still "united" despite the fact that the scourge of tribalism and religious intolerance continue to ravage the nation.
However, it would have made much sense to me if there are things that call for celebration but unfortunately, I have looked around and could not find any.
Tell me what celebration when 50 years ago, Nigerians had better standard of living than now? What celebration when the vast majority of Nigerians do not have sustainable means of livelihood? What are we celebrating when the ridiculous state of insecurity and constant power failure across the country have chased away potential investors that would have established functional industries to absorb millions of unemployed Nigerian young school leavers and graduates?
What are we celebrating when the health and education sectors have collapsed? Tell me 50 years of what when Nigeria with all the potentials of greatness cannot find her feet?
Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information in her speech at the All Nigerian Editors' Conference, which was held in Port Harcourt, recently stated that, "After 50 years, Nigeria like most other nations, remains a work in progress" but I strongly disagree. The true picture is that Nigeria unlike most other nations at best remains a failed state in steady retrogression that is hindered by electoral fraud, unmitigated wastage, bruising corruption, official greed, pointless developmental projects, inconsistent policies, irresponsibility and culture of impunity.
Such news headlines as: "Nigeria's survival under threat," "kidnapping: Obi holds meeting with stakeholders," "Yenogoa explosion: Police begin manhunt as group calls for removal of CP," "NNDC board battles MD over N46 billion naira contracts," "Army investigates source of weapons used by bandits in Anambra," "2011 elections in jeopardy says INEC boss," " National Assembly, a drainpipe as it spends N523 billion naira to pass 532 bills in 10 years," etc say it all.
That is why it is annoying, the disclosure that the same Nigerian leaders in their characteristic wasteful disposition are planning to spend N10 billion naira to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nigeria's independence. A break down of which shows that a whopping amount of N350 million naira has been earmarked for the lighting of what they call "unity torch," what nonsense!
Development according to the dictionary is the process of gradually becoming bigger, better, stronger or more advanced. Regrettably, in the case of Nigeria at 50, none of these stated yardsticks of development holds.
At 50, Nigeria is no bigger than she was in 1960 with the ceding of Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon. Nigeria is not better than it was in the beginning and the citizens now prefer the colonial era. Nigeria is neither stronger nor more advanced today because after 50 years since the miracle of "Oloibiri" and the era of petrol-dollars, there is nothing to show for it except the few fabulously rich who lord it over people and chronicle of failed dreams, lost opportunities and brazen recklessness amongst the ruling elite as they call themselves.
So what are we celebrating? Why should N10 billion naira that can be used to boost power supply or the tourist industry and in the process improve the economy or be used to establish a small-scale industry in each of the 36 States of the federation be wasted in a meaningless celebration?
It does appear that some official "crooks" are at it again and Jonathan must be careful.
Even the United States (US) with over two hundred years of nationhood and unmatched economic prosperity to boast of, cannot think of such foolery on 4th of July.
When Ghana marked her 50 years of nationhood with pomp and pageantry in 2007, there were many reasons for that. It was done with world-class infrastructure, stable economy, flourishing democracy, effective security system, unfaltering unity and clear vision.
There is misery in Nigeria, there is despondency, there is anarchy amidst a government, there is no truth, gas is still being flared 50 years after the discovery of oil, it is still morbid, and it is still crude. The "fat cows" are still untouched and the sacrilege continues so which way Nigeria?
Instead of this transient celebration, which will further deplete the already scarce resources, the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency in the country on 1st of October 2010. Arraign all those indicted for one form of corruption or the other; bring ex-President Obasanjo to account for the trillions of dollars he wasted in eight years of misrule and quickly organize a sovereign national conference for the future of this country.
Let us not pretend, there is ill in the polity therefore, anything different from what I have just stated will amount to some national delusion and wanton make-believe.
This time is not apt for revelry because there is absolutely nothing golden and nothing to cheer about Nigeria at 50.
I will be back.
Nigeria: 50 years of what? By Benedict Ahanonu
By: BENEDICT AHANONU
Prevent Bone Loss Naturally Choosing The Right Model Train Scale To Keep Your Dream Railway On Track October 2010 Area Guide For Benalmadena Why is my Pine Tree Turning Brown? Why is my Pine Tree Dying? The Exciting World of Honey Bees Your 2010 Guide To Estepona How so you can get Rid of Totes According to Eyes The doctrine of necessity by Benedict Ahanonu FAQs about Hot Tubs Temper Tantrums, 2 Year Olds Temper Tantrums, 3 Year Olds Temper Tantrum, Toddlers How do you generate Fonts? Are You Tired of Hearing "No" From Prospects? Nerja Area Guide For October 2010