Nigeria @ 62: We have cause to celebrate, says Northwest residents
Some residents of Northwest say Nigerians have cause to celebrate the country's 62nd independence anniversary, having passed through a lot of challenges, including a bloody civil war.
They cited examples of some countries that had been engrossed in one socio-political turmoil or another since their independence, and concluded that Nigerians owed it a duty to be grateful to God for surmounting myriad of challenges.
Mr Nurudeen Harande, Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state on Youth Development said Nigeria had achieved much on unity and progress in spite of challenges.
According to him, considering the stormy terrain that characterised the beginning which culminated to a civil war, the ability of the people to overcome the problems and forge ahead for 62 years, can best be described as 'legendary'.
Alhaji Sani Umar, District Head of Gagi in Sokoto state said to consolidate on successes attained, there was need to intensify public awareness for change of attitude among Nigerians.
"As the nation marks 62 years of independence, Nigerians should appreciate the successes and achievements recorded, especially on infrastructural development.
"There is need to fast-track efforts at inculcating moral discipline, patriotism and commitment towards nation building", he said.
According to him, attitudinal change and increased community involvement on tackling political and ethnic differences will facilitate development process in the country.
In his view, a public affairs commentator in Sokoto, Mr Mu'azu Liman, said changing the attitude of people would pave way for peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, as well as encourage security consciousness among people.
Liman said Nigeria faced security challenges that needed collective efforts between community members, local authorities and security agencies, to handle.
" More programmes are needed towards addressing conflicts, facilitate mutual understanding, religious tolerance, national patriotism and respect for individual values.
"Addressing all forms of security challenges is the business of all Nigerians; efforts of security agents needed to be complemented by citizens", he said.
Alhaji Abba Sidi, Secretary of Inter Party Advisory Committee ( IPAC) in the state, also suggested for increased awareness on political values and social re-orientation.
Sidi said dangers of drug abuse and political thuggery had negative consequences on the progress of the society, and, therefore, needed to be addressed immediately.
He noted that after 62 years of independence, leaders needed to sustain development by pursuing programmes geared towards providing the much needed dividends of democracy.
In Kano, a cross section of the residents who spoke to NAN Correspondents demanded that the Federal Government should focus on key areas to move the country forward.
One of them, Mr Mukhtar Muhammad, a manufacturer, said that Nigeria had achieved appreciable level of progress, despite the social and economic challenges.
He said that if more attention was given to the power and infrastructure sector, the economy would receive a boost and open up opportunities for employment.
Another resident, Mr Abdallah Suraj, a security expert and consultant, stressed the need for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.
"The earlier we give priority to the security sector by declaring a 'State of Emergency', the better for us because that is the essence of having a government in place", he said.
On education, Prof. Sani Lawal-Manumfashi, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Bayero University Kano, said Nigerians had reasons to celebrate in terms of number of schools, but the quality was something else.
"Nigeria's 62 years of independence in the area of education is a reflection of consistent failure in providing quality education; Nigerians, including government officials themselves, have lost confidence in public schools", he said
Mr Edward Auta, a Historian and Public Affairs Commentator based in Kaduna, said that the country's unity, in spite of challenges, was worth celebrating at 62.
"That Nigeria has been able to survive all the prophecies of doom about disintegration, 62 years down the road, is one thing we should congratulate ourselves for.
"A lot of conspiracy theories had been put forward about our country as some people had even postulated definite years of our disintegration.
"That we are still together despite the challenges of nation building, is something we should salute ourselves as a people," Auta added.
In Kebbi, the people expressed divergent views, with some saying the nation had achieved a lot in different sectors, while others said whatever achievements recorded were minimal and therefore, not worthy of celebration.
Malam Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser on Media to Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, said despite numerous challenges, there were some successes worthy of celebration.
He observed that past and present administrations were beginning to come to terms with the dangers of mono-economy solely dependent of petroleum, and had thus given priority to the diversification of the economy.
"Tremendous achievements have been recorded in the area of economic diversification, especially in this regime.
"This administration intensified efforts on diversification of the nation's economy from oil to other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.
"Agriculture used to be our main source of revenue before the discovery of oil, however, when oil was discovered, we abandoned the aspect of agriculture and concentrated on oil as the main source of revenue
"Buhari's diversification programme has yielded positive results because many people have gone back to farm.
"Initially, Nigeria relied solely on Thailand, India and China, among other countries for supply of rice, but today, we produce substantial part of the rice we eat," he said.
