INDEPENDENCE: ADDRESS SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES IN NIGERIA — STAKEHOLDERS BEG GOVT

Reporter : NDU NWANNAH

Some residents of Anambra State have decried what they termed the poor socio-economic progress of Nigeria in the last sixty years. The respondents, who spoke with Radio Nigeria on the occasion of the nation’s 60th Independence Anniversary, urged political leaders to fashion a pragmatic approach to enhance the transformation of the country.

Modern day Nigeria came into being in 1914 following the historic amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates. Nigeria further achieved Independence from Colonial Rule on October 1, 1960, paving the way for its citizens to take complete control of the nation’s leadership.

However, the country’s leadership and political processes have witnessed series of military interventions, which usually truncated democratic governments. Since 1999 to date, the nation has witnessed uninterrupted civilian rule, culminating into general elections every four years.

Taking stock of socio-economic issues in the country, a public affairs analyst and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on Transport, Comrade Stephen Anagbogu, said poor energy generation and supply had hampered development in the past 60 years.

Comrade Anagbogu also frowned at the level of electoral malpractice and violence recorded in the country, saying that they did not augur well for the growth of democracy. Contributing, a Professor of Industrial Production Engineering at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chukwuka Chinwuko, lamented the poor funding of a academic institutions and research as well as corruption in the polity.

Professor Chinwuko further noted that the country needed political restructuring to pave the way for its socio-economic transformation. An industrialist, Mr. Chukwunenye Nwangwu, said enough impact had not been made by successive administrations in addressing critical issues affecting the masses.

Mr. Nwangwu also pointed out the need for efficient security measures to be put in place to protect lives and property of the people. The respondents expressed unhappiness about the rising rate of unemployment and poor social welfare programmes available to the masses, saying these needed to be addressed to discourage youth restiveness.