E D I TORIAL:
NIGERIA AT 60! NIGERIA YET TO BE FIXED
A
ny one born at Nigeria’s independence is 60 years old already and it is really a long time in human calculation as such a person if he or she is working in the civil service is close to retirement or beginning to prepare for a life in retirement in few years’ time, probably 5 years more. Officially one is nearly completing his working life circle and life in retirement is gradually setting in where you spend more time with your grandchildren and spends time with your peer grounds in your rural home with fellow retirees, old age group mates if you are destiny to still be alive, taking things much easier. This assertion cannot be said of Nigeria as a nation, the country seem to record more woes than success story, the country seem to be moving backward rather than moving forward, no signs of the progress expected yet of a 60 year old nation! In many areas of the country’s development, there is no good score for what has been accomplished either by the past administrations or the current administration, development is farfetched and a far cry from what Nigerians expected from this government who promised ‘change’ to the over 180,000 million people. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, the country seem to have lost direction, it is one excuse or another on why they can’t get the country running again despite all their promises to fix Nigeria when they assume governance. Economically, Nigeria is performing very poorly and below expectations, the government can’t cope with the growing population, unemployment, insecurity, food shortage, and dilapidated infrastructure across the country, poor healthy delivery service, devaluation of the country’s currency, poor and underfunded educational institutions, we can go on and on, the problems cut across the sectors of life of the nation; the people are losing patience with this current government. The fear now is what legacy will President Buhari leaves for Nigerians at the end of his eight years rule? Pastor Elvis Iruh Editor-in-Chief The security situation is unstable, Boko Haram and other terror groups- kidnappers, criminal 6
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gangs are continually tormenting the ordinary citizens. Ask Nigerians what they think of Nigeria at 60! Not many have reason to celebrate except those at the corridor of power and benefiting from this government has positive things to say. Nigeria problems seem to be lack of will to correct the ills of the past. President Buhari reputation for personal integrity has not translated into a descent administration as many of his cabinet are named in deep corruption allegations and misappropriation of public funds (we could write volumes on the wrongs of those associated with this government). Oil has ruined Nigeria because of poor management of the resources since discovery of oil to date. This is a blame on all past administrations including this one, most recently the government increased the fuel price, despite the hardship on the people due to the Covid-19 crisis, event on that, it has not been properly managed as so much funds had gone into it and yet the virus continue to spread across the country. The legislative arm of the government has not helped matters while the judiciary has brought the nation on its kneels. Education, health care, job, food, security, infrastructure, decent housing/accommodation which are foundations of any nation to start building a decent future is lacking in Nigeria. Well as they say, never too late to start again even at 60. President Buhari should grab this opportunity in the remaining years of his administration to right a few wrongs if not all before he leaves office like his predecessors that their names are remembered for all the wrong reasons. Hopefully the people can reflect as well and keep hope alive that every citizen has a role to play in building a better society, to advance the destiny of Nigeria. No one man can fix Nigeria, it would take all Nigerians to take responsibility to play their role and play it well. If you are not celebrating, then use the opportunity to reflect on how to make Nigeria improve and better for the generation yet unborn. Enjoy your copy of the Voice news magazine for October 2020. Leave us your comments, opinions, comments, letter to the Editor and feel free to contribute articles and feedbacks with us. We love to read from you. Editor-in-Chief
