Nigeria At 65 And The Leadership Challenges -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Nigeria marks it’s 65 years independence anniversary last week amidst pomp and pageantry. Like the previous anniversaries, this year is not different. Indeed, lamentations have continued to galore. At 65 years, Nigerians are still debating whether the country has made progress or not. Depending on how one sees it, some Nigerians believed that, at 65 years of independence, the country has yet achieved its full potentials, basking on the euphoria of good old days of functional education system, flourishing agriculture sector and stabilised economy. But other Nigerians opined, Nigerian population has increased in large side in the last 65 years leading to building of thousands schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructures development. To this group, Nigeria at 65, is actually witnessing a remarkable transformation. Nigeria’s historical trajectory can be gleaned from its ups and downs and different system of government it practiced in the last 56 years. In 1960, after independence, the country adopted parliamentary democracy with strong regional government. The regional governments generated revenues and contributed to the centre. This contributed to a healthy competition among the regional governments.

The 1966 military coup d’etat which terminated the first republic was one of the greatest and costly mistake the military had made in the history of the country. The coup which was seen as rather sectional led to the gruesome murdering of some prominent Nigerians notably among are: the first Nigeria prime minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, the premier of Northern Nigeria and Samuel Akintola the premier of western region. The first military coup fueled revenge coup in 1967.The civil war that lasted for 30 months had resulted in the lost of thousands lives. It is unarguably, the military incursion into the country’s democracy in 1966 and the subsequent coup d’etat that followed dealt a big blow to the unity, progress and development of Nigeria. Successive military governments deserve commendation for rolling out various programmes and policies aimed at healing the wound arising from two ashes of bloody coup d’etat which sow the seed of deep division and mutual suspicious in the country. The Gowon military government in particular abolished regional governments and created states, it also came with three (Rs) programmes which stood for Reconciliation ,Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. The military government also established National Youths service Corps (NYSC) to poster sense of national unity and helps Nigerian youths to appreciate our differences.

Though, the prolonged military governments have been blamed for the country’ multi-facet challenges, the country’s robust infrastructural developments are to their credit. For the long period they held sway, military governments created more states, built more roads and provided numerous social amenities. Despite the facts they were accused of corruption and human rights violation, during their reign, the country witnessed peaceful coexistence. The level of insecurity was minimal unlike today, where every part of the country is grappling with difference security challenges. Every government that served the country might have contributed in one way or the other towards the socioeconomic development of the country. However, Nigeria’s 65 years of independence leaves so much to be desired. The country has remained united and refused to yield to the wishes of agents of destruction. Despite the ugly predictions that the country will cease to exist from prophets of doom, the country has remained united and strong. While one may be disturbed by the slow pace of its developments compares to other countries we attained independence on the same day, Nigerians are still optimistic that, with right leadership, the country can achieve greatness.

The success story of India and Cyprus, two countries that Nigeria attained independence on the same day but become force to reckon with are products of good and selfless leadership. Good leadership led to strong institutions and ultimately translate to growth and development. At 65 years of independence, we are still showering praise and encomiums to our first generation leaders. This has shown a paradigm leadership shift. While our past leaders exhibited patriotism and statesmanship, our current leaders are selfish and have an appetite to accumulate ill gotten wealth. In the last three decade, Nigerians have witnessed how leaders from various levels of government were charged of corruption and breach of public trust. With right leadership, Nigeria, a country blessed with both human and natural resources, can rub shoulder with developed countries such as US, CHINA and JAPAN.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State.08169056963.