Wanted: A new Nigeria, — By Olubunmi Olowu-Adekoya

It is worrisome that after over fi ve decades of nationhood, Nigeria isn’t really fulfi lling the aspirations of its founding fathers.

It is disheartening too to see that, Nigeria currently seems bedevilled by a myriad of problems that suggest a nation on the brink.

Th ere are a lot of insecurity, economic woes, political instability, youth restiveness, and many others affl icting the nation.

Surely, our beloved nation has seen turbulent times that leave you wondering how we got into this quagmire.

It will defi nitely not be out of place to opine that the state of giddiness being experienced now in spite of all the lamentations about our situation is brought about by the levity with which successive governments have tackled and are still tackling corruption which I see as the bane are the nation.

Nigerians have been described as special species as many wonder how they continue to cope with innumerable daunting challenges.

Th ey are daily surrounded with embroiled corruption going on around them coupled with shameful acts of impunity and retribution infl icted on their psyche by the elite.

Ours is a country where trillions of hard and local currencies are looted and stashed away in homes and some unexpected places while those found culpable are only tried in the media.

Hence, the big question, how do we tackle a dreadful national malady as corruption? Th ere is a need therefore for the government to do more than it is doing presently.

Sincerely, stiff er penalties and stringent measures like international travel ban, circulation of their names to embassies for possible blacklisting, enforcement of repatriation for those who might have managed to get away, newspaper disclaimer listing, amendment of existing relevant laws that will ameliorate the ease of enforcement and so on, should be meted out to whoever is found culpable no matter whose ox is gored.

We should actually learn from other countries like China, Egypt and so on, on how they are able to solve their corruption issues.

Indiscipline is another major bane of our nation and it cuts across all sectors.

When Nigerians go abroad, they adhere strictly to the laws, rules and regulations of their host countries.

Th ey are fascinated about how things work, how it is possible to trade and do business seamlessly and how it is possible for the police to use one’s details to apprehend one whenever one violates the law.

However, whenever these same people return home, they frustrate every laudable eff ort to do things right.

How sad! Th e business environment isn’t really getting better either.

As it is usually with us, we want everyone to go into one business enterprise or the other, enticing them with one loan or the other.

While this is not really a bad idea, it has to be emphasised that most of those who access such loans have little or no expertise in the business area they want to venture into.

Of course, the consequence of a failed business is usually more devastating on the economy and on the morale of the individual involved.

In as much as it is good to encourage local business enterprises, we need to start thinking about developing potentially viable areas such as the ICT, sports, arts, tourism etc.

Lots of opportunities abound, especially for the youths, in these core areas as they represent new globally recognised money-spinning ventures.

Th erefore, all tiers of government and other stakeholders must have a rethink and make eff orts at developing these promising areas if only for their job creation potential.

In as much as things are not going really well in the country, it needs to be stressed, however, that there is nothing about our current situation that is insurmountable.

Several countries around the world have had similar experience.

Th e only diff erence is that while others identify their challenges and frontally work on them, for example Japan and Switzerland with limited territories but amongst the strongest economies of the world, we seem to cover up ours and keep on living with the pretext that they never exist.

Unfortunately, countries that attain valid nationhood are those that demonstrate suffi cient resolve to solve their problems.

Olubunmi Olowu-Adekoya, Ikeja, Lagos

 

 

 

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