Nigeria marks its 60th independence anniversary
today.
Six decades after its independence from Great Britain, Africa’s
largest economy and most populous country stands as one despite
years of military rule, a civil war, widespread poverty, stagnant
development, cancerous corruption, and a plethora of security
challenges.
While some believe the nation’s troubles are a sign of its
inevitable disintegration, others, citing its power of diversity,
abundant natural resources and an avalanche of talented
individuals, maintain the future is bright.
To mark the Independence anniversary, the Federal Government has
said celebrations will be low-key.
On Thursday morning, President Muhammadu Buhari addressed
Nigerians and called for a sincere process of nation al healing,
while tackling pressing national issues such as rising oil prices
and electoral reform.
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Action, Not Just Words
Reacting to Buhari’s speech on Thursday, a former Chairman of
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor
Attahiru Jega said the government must go beyond talking to
implementation.
The former INEC boss spoke on during a special edition of
Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily to mark Nigeria’s
60th Independence anniversary.
READ ALSO: President Buhari’s Independence
Anniversary Speech (Full Text)
“What is clear is that the speech carries quite a lot of the
right things to be said on a day like this. But for me, the
critical thing is not what is said but how it is followed up,”
Professor Jega noted.
“I think it is important to reflect on the issue of what
government needs to do to ensure that when you call upon Nigerians
to take pride in Nigeria, there are certain things that encourage
and help them to be able to do that.”
While admitting that Nigeria has come a long way in the past six
decades, the former lecturer called for caution, insisting that the
60th Independence anniversary should serve as a time for
reflection.
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