Nigeria @ 65: Adebayo optimistic of bright future in spite challenges
The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023, Adewole Adebayo, says he is optimistic Nigeria’s future is bright in spite challenges before the nation at 65th independence anniversary.
Adebayo in a statement in Abuja to commemorate the independence, acknowledged the difficulties, but pointed to the significant strides made since Oct.1, 1960.
“Nigeria has grown from a population of about 45 million at independence to more than 237 million which is the largest in Africa and the 6th largest in the world today.
“We have moved from just a handful of universities in 1960 to more than 260 tertiary institutions today.
“Our creative industries are global forces, with Nollywood supporting hundreds of thousands of direct jobs.
“By broader estimates, more than one million direct and indirect jobs are contributing roughly N1.9 trillion to N2 trillion to the economy,” he said.
Adebayo, however, said that optimism must be matched by action, particularly in tackling poverty, injustice, infrastructural deficits and corruption.
The SDP chieftain identified security as the greatest challenge of the current generation, noting that no nation can prosper while its people live in fear.
“Peace is not optional; it is the precondition for progress, anchor of prosperity and the oxygen of national renewal,” he said.
He added that infrastructure, which should be Nigeria’s launch-pad to greatness had become “the chain holding the country down.”
He also noted that corruption did not only weaken Nigeria’s institutions; but undermined the very belief that progress was possible.
“Nigeria is estimated to lose 18 billion dollars annually to illicit financial flows, funds that could have built hospitals, schools and power plants,” he said.
Adebayo maintained that hope was not lost, adding that Nigeria could “bend the arc of history” by committing to urgent tasks of security, infrastructure revolution and tackling corruption.
He also called for the empowerment of the youths, who constitutes more than 70 per cent of the country’s population, through “meaningful budgetary commitments to youth employment and innovation.”
Adebayo added that for Nigeria to take its next great step, future government must place security at the very heart of its agenda, saying “without peace, nothing else can flourish.”
He, therefore, urged the citizens to choose courage over fear and unity over division to achieve the noble vision of the founding fathers: a nation where poverty is banished and development is a lived reality.
