Razaq Bamidele
As Nigeria is set to go into another ritual of the celebration of the Independent day to mark its 59th Anniversary, a pro-democracy group, The Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS), has cautioned against elaborate celebration.
The group, in a release signed by its President, Comrade Mashood Erubami, cautioned that it will not be worthwhile to celebrate the day with pomp and pageantry in order not to offend the collective intelligence of the vast majority of Nigerians who believe that the government is yet to meet their genuine aspiration.
While believing that the people are still believe and expect improved governance in the Next Level Government of President Muhammadu Buhari which has just started, the VOTAS observed that, from empirical realities, the day will not be worth celebrating with fanfare.
The group, therefore, suggested that instead, the Day should be marked minimally under sombre reflections to save billions of Naira that could be misguidedly wasted in the process stating that citizens truthful assessment of Nigeria 59 years of Independence is that of mixed feelings, of happiness and regrets.
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“Happiness that the country seems to be rising from its crawling status into adulthood of nationhood and despite its bags of insecurity, economic downturns and growing habits of corruption in the public service and political terrains, it is still a country to be reckoned with in Africa and the World,” the group stressed.
According to the group, the regrets stems from the facts that, the country in 59 years is yet to be properly placed on the tripod of Unity, Prosperity and Justice, adding that the expectations of the forefathers for a country bound in freedom, peace and unity, which the citizens will serve with heart and might and where the labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain is yet to be achieved.
Cautioning against elaborate celebration, according to the VOTA is borne out of the fact that, successive elections and subsequent governments have not made life of the citizens better and thoroughly lift them out of the swamp of poverty.
The group added that, despite years of civil governance, Nigeria is yet to achieve full blown democracy, while corruption, instead of abating is further empowering the corrupt people to fight back through the indulgence of some Judicial officers and lawyers who have become undisguised goalkeepers for the corrupt.
“Nigeria Voters Assembly believes Nigeria will still work and be great if the current working of the Buhari Administration is supported by all to resolve the current challenges and heal where it is hurting such as an instance where Boko Haram becomes a transient phenomenon, corruption becomes a forgotten impunity and economic downturn becomes a thing of the past,” the group added.
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While suggesting a way forward for the country, the VOTAS implored the government to stand firm against perpetrators of all unethical practices, step on the toes of their supporters and also crush their legs.
In addition, it advised the government to:
“Provide uninterrupted light and energy generation and transmission to power our industries and the homes including the informal sectors, bring back peace and eradicating insecurity from boko haram, kidnappings, armed robbery, banditry from the face of the country.
“Bring about good and vibrant economy powered by local and international best practices, good fiscal and monetary policies, start up the running of an all-inclusive government that will not be based on winners take all, and above all, ensure that medium and large scale contracts as applicable are awarded to the informal sector, carpenters, welders, mechanics, traders and local contractors to re-inflate the economy and empower the citizenry.”