Nigeria@60: It Is Sad That We Are Still Crawling, Says Osun Assembly Minority Leader

The Minority Leader, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Kofoworola Adewunmi Babajide has lamented the slow pace of development in the country, saying it is sad that Nigeria is still crawling at 60 years of independence.

Nigeria attained independence from Britain in 1960 and on Thursday, will clock 60 years of nationhood.

In a statement to commemorate the country’s independence on Wednesday, Hon. Kofoworola expressed his disappointments at the turn of things in the country, noting that the high hopes that heralded independence is fast turning to a mirage.

“It is 60 years that Nigeria got her independence, but the outlook of things is so disappointing that there is really nothing to celebrate,” he noted in the statement.

“When our founding fathers fought and secured independence, it was the assurance that it would better serve the people but bad leaderships and deliberate sabotage have left their dreams largely unfulfilled.

“At 60, Nigeria should be the envy of the world in term of physical developments and economic attainments, rather, corruption and incompetent leadership have foisted a disastrous situation for the people, where poverty, sickness and avoidable deaths are a common feature usually noticed around.”

Hon Kofoworola called on Nigerian youths to wake up to the series of challenges facing the country and get involve in governance, pointing out that countries like United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced monumental changes in less than three decades.

“So, rather than just lament on the disturbing situation of the country, the youth should take involvement in governance serious and bring their energy and expertise to use in bringing the country out of the doldrums it is currently is,” he said.

“Despite the pains and disappointments of the last 60 years, all hope is still not lost if we all change dispositions to nation building and bring about phenomenal changes, just like UAE, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and a host of others, moved from a third world country to developed nation in the space of three decades.

“Those nations offer Nigeria enough lessons on how growth and developments can be achieved through massive investments in education, technological advancements, cultural reorientation and zeal for progress. If they can do it, Nigeria too can do it, and even more.

“Not minding my reservations on the progress of the country, I congratulate Nigerians on the milestone and pray for divine intervention that will move the country to the height it actually deserves. God bless Nigeria”