DAILY POST
Sixty-three years after Nigeria gained independence, the country is yet to fully realise the visions of the founding fathers.
Anthony Enahoro, one of the foremost nationalists who fought for the country’s freedom, moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence. The dream of the founding fathers was to secure a free nation devoid of any external influence, which will give its people a better life.
But Nigeria has, however, failed to achieve some of the goals of the founding fathers after 63 years.
DAILY POST reports that lack of good governance birthed by corrupt leaders has been one of the major problems bedevilling the nation right from its Independence in 1960.
In 2021, a global index, the Chandler Good Government Index, CGGI ranked Nigeria as the third worst country in the world.
Nigeria was ranked in the 102nd position out of 104 countries captured by the CGGI, which classifies countries in terms of government capabilities and outcomes.
The index focuses on seven pillars: leadership and foresight; robust laws and policies; strong institutions; financial stewardship; attractive marketplace; global influence and reputation; and helping people rise.
Nigeria’s bad reputation which has spread across the globe may not be unconnected to some of the age-long crises ranging from poor leadership quality, insecurity, dilapidated education amongst other things that have hitherto crippled the country’s economy.
General hardship
The hardship faced by millions of Nigerians skyrocketed on May 29 when President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy.
The subsidy removal, which aggravated the country’s inflation rate, has imposed unfavourable living conditions on most Nigerians.
In the next three days, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, may be shutting down the economy in protest of the inability of the federal government to put up measures that would mitigate the negative impacts of the subsidy removal.
DAILY POST reports that prices of staple food items and other essential commodities in the market had tripled following the high cost of fuel.
Several citizens lost their sources of income due to the unpleasant development as both intra and inter-state transportation fare jumped beyond the affordability of common Nigerians.
Aside from the price of food items and transportation fare, the removal of fuel subsidies apparently affected every other thing, including house rent, school fees, drugs and even hospital bills.
Security
The country’s security situation has, over the years, continued to deteriorate despite the efforts of past and present leaders.
Apart from the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents that are causing mayhem in the northeast, many parts of the country are still battling with the daredevil bandits who have converted kidnapping to a lucrative business in North West, North Central and other regions.
A report emerged in August this year that at least 23 local government areas in three North-West states are currently under the control of bandits.
The report underscores the gravity of the current security situation and harks back to the time terrorists ruled over 27 LGAs across the North-East.
Farmers and residents in 23 LGAs in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states have abandoned their farms and communities, fleeing rising bandits’ criminality.
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is not left out in the unfortunate security crisis as miscreants are on the rampage, committing several crimes, including kidnapping, robbery usually by the ‘one chance’ vehicle drivers.
