As we celebrate Nigeria at 60 years today, I congratulate my motherland on this milestone. But have we actually stricken the shackles of colonialism that our predecessors fought so hard for?
How well have we handled the mantle that was handed to us by the late Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ibrahim Ahmadu Belo, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh et al.
A true assessment of the events in our native country will hold us accountable for the colossal failure in all aspects-given the gross mismanagement of our natural resources and consistent track record of bad governance.
We inherited a bountiful land full of natural treasures, but the wanton greed that has captivated our modern day crop of leaders has been our undoing.
The spirit of a common purpose of fighting for our franchise from the colonial powers has disappeared-since we achieved that feat. It has been overridden by a new wave of greedy charlatans whose sole purpose is the quest for acquisition of earthly riches to the detriment of the poor masses of Nigeria.
The vision of Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu,Victor Banjo and all our late compatriots (Forgive my non ranking honors) has been dashed by monsters who have little knowledge of the word democracy, but the wisdom of these great men remain the propeller of our quest for decent leadership.
The regressive curve in our national development chart should be of great concern to our so called leaders rather than the yearly celebratory charade of military parades that signifies nothing but gross failure in governance.
We remain our own worst enemy and not the presumed western world that we strive so hard to imitate, but refuse to emulate.
Ike Agbatekwe
Editor@Large
Life and Times News
Los Angeles, California
