MY PERSPECTIV ON NIGERIA @54 ; By Prince Umelo. The Nigerian idea sprang up in 1914 after the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates...and that was the year a new idea, called Nigeria was born...then in 1960 the overt recognition was made. Ever since, Nigeria has alternated between democratically-elected civilian governments and military dictatorships, with its 2011 presidential elections being viewed as the first to be conducted reasonably freely and fairly. In spite of political intricacies, I still believe we have a lot of blessings to count. In 2014, Nigerias economy (GDP) became the largest in Africa, worth more than $500 billion, and overtook South Africa to become the worlds 26th largest economy. Furthermore, the debt-to-GDP ratio is only 11 percent (8 percent below the 2012 ratio).By 2050, Nigeria is expected to become one of the worlds top 20 economies. On the other side of the coin, I think weve had a couple of distractions of which terrorism is a front-liner. In that context, I would regard Goodluck Jonathans government as a perfect feat that has suppressed terrorism so leniently, and has proven to us all that Boko Haram is just a lame duck concept. In the same vein I would always be emphatic to say that the abduction of chibok girls is a sick joke, and its a story too childish to bring the transformation agenda of GEJ to disrepute. I might sound quite political if I say that Jonathan is the best leader weve had so far. Hitherto, I wont be careful to say that his government has faced the highest challenge so far, amongst all our national leaders, yet, there is a giant stride of transformation. What would one expect from a zoology graduate, a novice in politics? Yet he has crossed so many political hurdles and maneuvered many evil plots against his office. Jonathan has done quite well since he succeeded late YarAdua, and its worth thanking God for. On the area of opposition and party politics, Ive been struggling to remain silent on this, but I cant help it. I want to remain indifferent on APC, but few of their leaders have aggravated ill-feelings in me, concerning the party. Regardless of my PDP membership and a PDP students leader in my capacity, Im not saying this out of sentiments, afterall Im from Imo...a state where APC holds force. Governor Fashola has transformed Lagos state, yes we all know! But that doesnt give him any right to cast aspersion on Jonathans integrity because Jonathan is in PDP and hes in APC. As for Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, that would be a story for another day. I dont see APC as an opposition anyways, theyre just a storm in a tea cup. However one fault I find in Jonathans government is its complacency to address mis-management of resources, mis-appropriation of fund and money laundry. Just a few weeks ago, a renowned Nigerian pastor was involved in such despicable crime in far away South Africa. I think our president needs to take such national defaming acts seriously and let justice take its course, so that we dont disgrace ourselves internationally. Anyone found guilty of offence against the rule of law and national integrity must be brought to book inspite of personal virtue. On an optimistic not, I must say that Nigeria can maintain togetherness if only we can stop being Afro-centric. The Scottish realized that breaking off from UK would be a terrible regret in the near future, if they took that stupid step, and they advised themselves. If unity could work for complex American then Nigeria can blossom as one..afterall we hold sway in all facets of african resourcefulness. I would keep praying that God will keep guiding our dear president and the rest of our leaders. May good innovations filter into our thoughts, and may we keep being good citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria...Shalom Nigeria!
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:44:07 +0000
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