Nigeria @ 58: What Nigerian Youths Are Saying

• Nigeria @ 58: What Nigerian Youths Are Saying

As Nigeria celebrates 58th independence today. Youths across the country have got a lot to say on the state of the nation.

Nigeria, the most populous black nation and the largest economy in Africa, has the potential to become a key global player by virtue of its human and natural resources.

However, choice of leaders coupled with over-dependence on crude oil and the transition from an export-based economy to consumption has impacted this potential.

Investors King spoke with some youths on the state of the nation.

Dapo Alade, 33, said: “It’s time to take the country back from the old folks running democracy like we are in the 1990s. The country is not going to change itself till we all get involved rather than sit back and point fingers. I see a great Nigeria,” the software engineer affirmed.

According to Ishioma, 31, Nigeria will only move forward if people change their mindsets. Until Nigerians shun bribery and do their jobs without gratification, learn to solve their own problems and channel budget funds to appropriate projects Nigeria may not move forward.

Ezekiel Enejeta, 30, said: “I’m proud to be a Nigerian, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.  Let every patriot be honored; Don’t let politics get in the way. Without them, freedom would have died; What they did, we can’t repay,” the CEO of Gabzy Media stated. “It is time for you to show your independence. Happy Independence Day.”

“Is there really any cause for celebration? Things don’t seem to be getting better, in fact, they may be getting worse in terms of security, inflation, cost and standard of living, value of life, jobs, education, healthcare and so on,” said Adewumi, 34. “A major call for concern now is the threat to the unity of the nation, as many fear its only a matter of time before the country disintegrates.”

Hamza, 38, said: “Nigeria is a joke! Our leaders are jokers and the state of the nation is the punchline, sad but its true.”

Bukola Ojobe, 30, said nations that got their independence after Nigeria are thriving while Nigeria the so-called giant of Africa is faced with an economic downturn, low productivity and a high unemployment rate of 18.8 percent. United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Rwanda, South Africa, etc lack Nigeria’s resource but Nigerians queue for their visas. How sad!.

Youths across the nation have spoken against poor leadership, bribery, lack of basic amenities, threat to national unity as well as high unemployment rate. As Enejeta said, its time to show your independence, go out and vote without prejudice.

Happy Independence Day.