Today is Nigeria's National Day. Today makes it exactly 54years since the British union Jack went down and was replaced with the green-white-green flag that now symbolizes the country.
Whether Nigerians have reasons to celebrate or not depends on who the question is directed. To some, the fact that we survived the civil war and have remained one nation in spite of the many turmoils and turbulence the country has had to grapple with, is enough reason to celebrate.
Others are of the opinion that our achievements in 54years is incommensurate with our natural endowment. On whichever group you find yourself, one major fact that cannot be denied is that Nigeria as a nation has been punching below her weight. Our peculiar case has made some analysts describe our abundant natural resources has more of a curse than a blessing.
In his famous TEDx talk, 'Overcoming The Fear Of Vested Interests', the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi-who incidentally is now the emir of Kano-described Nigeria has "a country that specializes in exporting what it does not produce and importing that which it produces. One of the world’s largest producer of crude oil, that does not refine its own petroleum products and has to import petroleum products. The world’s largest producer of cassava but does not produce starch or ethanol. A large tomato belt, yet the world’s largest importer of tomato paste."
In his famous TEDx talk, 'Overcoming The Fear Of Vested Interests', the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi-who incidentally is now the emir of Kano-described Nigeria has "a country that specializes in exporting what it does not produce and importing that which it produces. One of the world’s largest producer of crude oil, that does not refine its own petroleum products and has to import petroleum products. The world’s largest producer of cassava but does not produce starch or ethanol. A large tomato belt, yet the world’s largest importer of tomato paste."
This is a very bad and gloomy characterization of a country that many believe has the potential to be one of the leading economies in the world. If history has taught us any lesson, it'll be the fact that, potential by itself is as useless as a bow and arrow that is hung on the wall; it cannot kill a bird.
In his maiden Independence Speech, Prime minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa said,"....we must at once play an active part in maintaining the peace of the world and in preserving civilisation. I promise you, we shall not fail for want of determination."
Yes, we've helped in preserving the peace of the world- even though peace now eludes us - by restoring order to neighbouring countries; Yes, we've tried in preserving civilization, but we have failed woefully to lift the majority of our people out of poverty, simply "for want of determination."
In its 2014 report, Ibrahim Index of African Governance, IIAG, Nigeria is ranked 37th out of 52 in the overall governance scale. This is sad. But more alarming is the fact that it's rated 12th out 15 countries in the West Africa sub region. In spite of this, and many more, the president has given himself a clean bill of health.
Successive governments have failed to utilize the abundant wealth nature has magnanimously blessed us with for the benefit of the majority. And this present government is headed for failure simply "for want of determination."
Should we celebrate? Well, personally, i have no direct answer to this question; we've to know what we're celebrating. If it's nationhood we're celebrating, then I can safely say: Happy Birthday Nigeria!
-Mark Ademola Israel
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