Nigeria! Our great nation blessed with lots of both human and natural resources: home to significant deposits of coal, iron ore, lead, limestone, tin, and zinc; not to mention oil and gas. Importantly, our dear country has rich land and water resources that are ripe for agricultural exploitations. What about the ever-resilient, gifted, talented, entrepreneurial, richly cultured, and religious citizens of our dear country. The fabulous lifestyles and rich sense of humor of the millions of the sons and daughters of Nigeria are amazing. Indeed, a blessed and great country was given birth to sixty years ago!
As this great nation celebrates its 60th birthday anniversary (Golden Jubilee), putting in mind all we are blessed with; can we be happier? Can we boldly say we are together? Don’t we still suffer in the hands of our merely mouthed democracy? Can we proudly say things are getting better? How is our education sector? Are the leaders of tomorrow being prepared for and given the opportunity to take over leadership? What has become of all the resources we are blessed with? Today, can a concerned citizen of our dear nation speak his/her mind freely on what he believes in?
At 60, insecurity and other social vices are at their peaks in the history of Nigeria. Arguably, Nigerians have always known better yesterdays. Citizens are at their lows economically. The poor apparently get poorer and even punished for being poor just as the marginalized could barely eke out a living. What a journey!
Do we see little/nothing to celebrate on this day? Let us do a proper reflection, honest meditation. There is actually a little achievement for the birthday ‘boy’ to celebrate. In truth, there is a need for serious sober reflections on the part of both the drivers of the affairs of the celebrant and even the driven. There is much to do on the part of each and every one of us. The concern for each Nigerian should constantly be what positive part he/she plays to move the country forward and bequeath future happy birthday celebrations on it. The age-long order of seeing collective resources of the celebrant as national cake must stop. Laws must be there for all rather than being treated as being for the poor alone. The country must strive to build strong institutions instead of strong individuals. The celebrant must be a home to children that are treated with dignity. This is the least expectation.