From Ekpo Duke, Calabar
In celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Anniversary, AljazirahNigeria spoke to a cross-section of residents of Cross River State to get their thoughts on the nation’s journey. Citizens shared diverse perspectives, reflecting on development, leadership, and the challenges that continue to shape the country’s trajectory, revealing a complex mix of progress and lingering frustrations.
Speaking, Mr. Nwagbaghioso Chinwendu, a business manager and cement dealer echoed concerns about Nigeria’s overall development. He lamented the nation’s lack of progress in various sectors, except for agriculture. Speaking on the country’s economic struggles, he said:
“The only area Nigeria has improved is agriculture. In all other sectors, we have been performing woefully. Look at the value of Naira compared to the US.dollar today—it’s nothing to write home about. We lack top infrastructure, leading to shortage of jobs, which drives Nigerians to travel abroad for greener pastures”.
Mr. Chinwendu also stressed the importance of leadership and governance, calling for greater transparency and integrity from Nigeria’s leaders:
“Our leaders should prioritize transparency and good governance by demonstrating integrity and selflessness. Good governance is a collective responsibility. Let’s work together to build a better Nigeria!”
Sir Franklin Amadi, a serial entrepreneur in Abia State, shared his concerns about the economic situation in the country, specifically pointing to the lack of governmental connection with the everyday needs of Nigerians. He stated:
“It seems the government needs to do more by understanding the basic needs of its people. Nigerians don’t really know what they want, which is a big problem. We should come together as a people and identify exactly what we want”.
Similarly, Mr. Andrew Okoro, an artist and small business owner in Abia State, echoed these concerns, focusing on the worsening economic conditions. He expressed his frustration with inflation and the impact of corruption on Nigeria’s progress.
“Nigeria is getting worse, and inflation is becoming unbearable. The main reason our country has not progressed is because of corruption, especially within us. Due to the high cost of living, if someone comes to price my work, I feel obligated to charge excessively because when I go outside, others do the same to me”.
Mr. Okoro emphasized that change must start from the grassroots level:
“Improving the country starts with us. If we make changes within ourselves, it will eventually reach the top. If the government sees that a state is doing well, they will want to compare it with others, pushing everyone to strive for excellence”.
Adding to these voices, Eze Miracle, a civil engineering student at Abia State University, expressed his frustration with Nigeria’s governance and the challenges faced by students, particularly in the education sector, on the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day. He criticized the widening inequality, stating:
“Nigeria only gives opportunities to the rich; the rich keep getting richer, and the poor get poorer”.
He further revealed how government negligence, such as failing to pay lecturers, has led to a system where students are forced to pay lecturers in exchange for passing grades:
“You read to pass, but then a lecturer purposely fails you so you can come and ‘sort’ it. It’s very bad”.
Despite his frustrations, Miracle acknowledged that the new government in Abia State appears to be making some improvements. However, he called for a significant change in mindset among politicians, urging them to move away from corruption and money laundering:
“My advice to our leaders is to remove their embezzlement mindset”, he said, adding that this is the primary issue stifling the country’s progress.
Still, he remains hopeful, encouraging citizens to persevere and believe that “hard work pays”, even in the face of these challenges.
Fidelis Favour, a student of Abia State University, shared her thoughts on Nigeria’s situation, expressing concern over bad leadership as a major issue:
“Nigeria, though rich in resources, suffers from leadership that prioritizes personal gain over the needs of the people. Prices keep rising, and many are struggling for change”, She also highlighted the economic crisis’s impact on students:
“Rising costs make it hard for students to manage school expenses, and some have dropped out due to financial pressures”.
Favour concluded with a call for righteous leadership, quoting the Bible:
“When the righteous is in power, the people rejoice. Nigeria needs leaders who will restore its glory and consider the common man in their decisions”.
The voices and reflections from Abia State offer a nuanced view of Nigeria’s 64 years of independence. While frustrations over economic hardship, corruption, and poor governance run deep, there remains a shared belief in the possibility of change, driven by both the people and the government.
Abians are urging for a leadership that is transparent, responsive, and attuned to the needs of the common man, while recognizing that lasting transformation must also begin from within the citizenry itself.
