Independence: Ibadan residents lament state of the nation

Just as the nation marked its 52nd independence anniversary, residents in some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, lamented the poor situation of things in the country as a result of greed, corruption, insecurity, instability, injustice, poor electrification, poor infrastructure and high cost of living. In a vox pop conducted by Community News around Ibadan metropolis, 75 per cent of the respondents said Nigeria has nothing to celebrate.According to an entrepreneur, Mrs Patience Nwodo, 'the problem I have with Nigerian leaders is that they are fond of making long eloquent and well written speeches about how they will do this and that, but actualisation is always far-fetched. Even when we celebrate important dates like World Health Day, World Cancer Day, among others, they go about blowing all sorts of grammar with dexerity but, to put it into action is always a problem. 'I didn't bother to listen to the president's independence speech because I am sure it is not going to be anything different from what he said last year. Insecurity, and corruption are still trending in the country, Nigerians are suffering while those whom we defied the rain, sun and threats to our lives to vote for are looting us blind,' she stressed.According to a businessman who identified himself as Mr Olanrewaju, 'a lot seems to be going on in this country, from ravaging floods that have continued to claim lives and destroy property, to Boko Haram gradually turning the North into 'Iran' of sort, to electricity which has reached its worse state, the death traps we call roads and corruption being the order of the day. With all these problems I have mentioned, all I can wish Nigeria is 'get well soon,' not happy birthday.'According to Ayomide Akinsanya, an undergraduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, 'it is a good thing that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has made education, a priority in his administration judging from the recent scholarship award scheme. Education is key to development of any nation.'It is therefore, expected that the Nigeria education system should be able to develop citizens with the requisite skills and competence to function in diverse sectors of the economy. It is no longer news that rich and privileged parents spend millions of dollars, sending their children abroad for qualitative education, which in turn causes capital flight,' he stated.According to a business investment consultant, Mr Dayo Olamijulo, 'from the recent embarrassment of mass deportation of hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia to the disgraceful performance at the Olympics, Nigeria has continued to make mockery of itself.The once giant of Africa is now trotting behind smaller countries like Ghana. I can't remember the last time I met electricity at home after a stressful day at work,' he fumed.
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