Nigeria is a populous country in West Africa. It’s a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse federation which consists of 36 autonomous states and the Federal Capital Territory. With an abundance of natural resources, it is Africa’s biggest oil exporter. It shares land borders with the Republic of Benin to the west, Chad and Cameroon to the east, and Niger to the north.
Invariably, It’s no longer news that Nigeria has one of the most hardworking and resilient people on earth. Evidence to the above assertion could be seen on how the people survive wherever they find themselves despite challenges. Being a Nigerian goes beyond ethnicity or tribe, it’s deeply rooted in our lifestyle and being, and no matter how far we go, it will always be home.
The country has survived lots of internal unrest since its independence in 1960. The following are some of the challenges witnessed by Nigeria; a civil war, a number of coups, incompetent leadership, Insecurity, Inadequate amenities to mention a few…yet, she remains one of the most amazing countries on earth.
However, for the purpose of this article, I would like to emphasize a few of the Nations challenges.
Incompetent leadership
Nigerians have been suffering as a result of incompetent leaders. Most of the nation's leaders care about their stomach infrastructure. This could be seen in how political elites in Nigeria exploit poverty and illiteracy to mobilize voters with food items like, rice, yam, beans, seasoning, and money. These food items are usually packaged strategically with the image of political candidates and the parties they represent. Henceforth, it’s basically a way of eliminating true democracy, thereby enforcing the electorates to vote out of their will because they are hungry.
Inadequate Amenity
Inadequate amenity is a big problem in Nigeria today. It's one of the challenges masses face on a daily basis, (lack of amenities generally as well as their inadequate and poor provision where they exist).
Social amenities critical to human existence and social growth as well as economic uplift include sustainable health care, good road network, quality and affordable education, waterways, housing, safe water, power, and job creation. The above mentioned are crucial in national development as they help to improve the wellbeing of the people or populace. Similarly, providing adequate amenities to the populace also help to improve their life expectancy to a greater extent.
Insecurity
The rate of insecurity in Nigeria currently is alarming. It’s another major social issue which has infested every part of the country. Tell me a place in Nigeria that’s free From the menace of insecurity. No day passes without news like Insurgency, killer herdsmen, extrajudicial killings, armed robbery, banditry, Kidnapping, attacks by unknown gunmen, making headlines in Nigerian media. This has inflicted great fear in the people. It’s basically the main reason most wealthy Nigerians relocate their families abroad. The masses no longer complain about inadequate amenities in the country due to insecurity.
Those who do not have money are even leaving Nigeria to nations like Ghana, Uganda, Gambia, Rwanda, Chad, among others. “It's merely not because of inadequate available amenities in the country, but because they cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.”
Moreover, this entails that one has to think of his life before thinking of basic amenities, we must think about the safety of people. Nigerians’ lives matter, and only those alive would ask for basic amenities.
Our leaders need to improve in the aspect of providing the felt needs of masses.
I wish Nigeria a rescue. I wish her visionary leadership that will place her on the path to fulfilling her destiny as the Giant of Africa, as it commemorates her 63 years Anniversary today.
