NIGERIA: A NATION AT 50; THE PAST, THE FUTURE.

By Onyeagwara C. N.

Walking tall in the heart of Africa is a country Nigeria which became independent on October 1, 1960, when Princess Alexandra of Great Britain solemnly handed over the relevant documents to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the federal prime minister. Exactly one week later It became the 99th member of the United Nations and, on October 18, the first contingent of the Nigeria Regiment to be put at the disposal of the international organization left for the Congo. Nigeria, by far, is the most populous of all African countries. Like many others, it has been described as the artificial creation of a colonial power, but its crest displays a Y which represents the Niger River and its tributary, the Benue, as a natural link between the three main regions of Nigeria; the north, east, and west. It occupies an area of 923,768 sq km with Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger as border countries. She has a population of over 140 million people with over 250 ethnic groups and speaks approximately 500 languages with English as the official language. Nigeria is made up of 36 states and its federal capital being Abuja which is in the centre. Her national bank is the Central Bank of Nigeria and her currency is in naira and kobo. Nigerias national flag was designed by Taiwo Akinkumi and has the colour Green, White and Green. Green depicts her rich and fertile land while white shows peace and unity. Her strength lies in her diversity. Her coat of arm depicts a peaceful and united nation ready to progress together. Nigeria, a land flowing with milk and honey with rich cultural heritage hold her onion in the committee of nations as she plays the Big Brother role in Africa. Her contribution to the peace of Liberia and other warring nations cannot be over emphasised as she works to maintain peace within the sub-region and Africa as a whole.

Nigerias fifty years of existence has been full of ups and downs in all sectors be it agriculture, education, health, electricity, infrastructural development to mention but a few. Food is one of the essential necessities of man. In the area of agriculture, Nigeria made its mark; the cocoa pyramid of Ibadan, the rich oil palm of

the east, the onion and tomato of the north and so on. It is no wonder then that University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was built from the proceeds of agriculture likewise University of Lagos and cocoa house in Ibadan. It is of interest to note that today, Malaysia is one of the highest producers of oil palm which before now they imported from Nigeria, and where are we now? The bottom line is that we are now importing oil palm from other countries which before now we were rich in and the largest exporter. In 1954 when oil was discovered in Olebiri in Bayelsa State, the music changed to a different tune. The government paid maximum attention to the black gold to the detriment of other revenue yielding sectors and there and then we started counting our woes. The agricultural sector collapsed which led to rural-urban drift. People left agriculture in pursuit of white collar jobs leaving the aged in the sector and since then able bodied men/women left for the city in search for jobs, there has been decrease in the cultivation of agricultural products which necessitated the importation of goods and services. Agriculture must take its rightful place in the nation. Modern agricultural equipments and tools must be employed in cultivation so as to boost food production, as one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is to eradicate extreme hunger/poverty which we can never attain by neglecting agriculture.

Healthy people make up wealthy nation they say. The health sector in Nigeria has been a shadow of itself, from poor medical attention on the part of health workers to lack of medical equipments. Nigeria cannot achieve anything as a nation if minor ailments still kill her citizens like malaria, cholera etc. The last cholera outbreak in Gwagwalada and other parts of Nigeria claimed about 400 lives which is a very big blow to the nation. Amazon of our time, Prof Dora Akunyili fought the war against fake drugs and sanitized the industry. Her seven years stay as chairman of National Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recorded tremendous changes as fake and sub-standard products became history in Nigeria. There is high rate of ignorance on the issue of cancer especially breast, cervical and prostate cancers which are ravaging the human race. Worthy of note also is the problem of maternal mortality. Lack of sensitization and awareness in the rural areas of our country is heightening the situation. Nigeria rated almost the least in the United Nations Organisations health assessment should awaken in us the importance to rise on our feet again.

The coming of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was welcomed with open arms but re-accessing it has it performed to its expectations? Health workers must stand up and answer the claret call to serve the nation with all their heart and protect lives entrusted to them by giving sound medical attention and in turn, the government must encourage them with good remuneration.

When the foundation of a house is not properly laid, no matter what you do, the house will crumble like a pack of card. E.D.U.C.A.T.I.O.N is the key for sustainable growth and development. There is urgent need to restore the dignity in education. In the past, education was seen as a waste of time but those who where opportune to go to school were sound and well tutored unlike in the recent past, the standard of education is dwindling tremendously which need the attention of all sectors. There is a saying that when a prayer goes wrong, it is the imam that should be held responsible, likewise education the government, vice chancellors, lecturers are responsible for educational decadents. Poor funding of education sector, lack of adequate learning environment, wrong people put in right positions, or poor state of libraries, examination malpractices, sexual harassment, poor learning environment and politicization of education are some of the obstacles stirring education sector on the face. We must rise and tackle this worm of discontent before it destroys us. The solution is not far from us as government must invest in education by ensuring institutions of learning are enviro-friendly at all level, periodic work shop in order to train the trainers. Educators who are found wanting must be dealt seriously with to serve as examples to others and they must be appreciated when they perform above expectation. Also there remuneration must be encouraging and paid as at when due in order for them to put in their best at the job. We must take a giant stride to uphold an enviable standard of education free from tribalism and who do you know syndrome. Scholarship scheme must be revived from its coma state to give Nigerians who are brilliant but do not have the resources the opportunity to excel. For a healthy examination, students should not be allowed into the examination hall with their cell phones and examination malpractices should follow punishment. Absence of skill development in academic curriculum must be changed for graduates to minimise sorting for white collar jobs which are not available.

Exactly fifty years ago, Nigeria was liberated from the hooks and arrows of colonialism when she gained her independence. This saw the coming down of the Union Jack and Nigerias flag was hoisted. A remarkable degree of statesmanship was displayed by the local leaders as they worked their way gradually toward freedom. No one certainly distinguished himself in the struggle more than did Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, an American-trained journalist and businessman together with our other founding fathers and heroes past like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Bellewa, Sir Amadu Bello and other resilient Nigerians. In 1963, Nigeria became a republic but was faced with numerous challenges as an infant country. She passed through parliamentary, military and democratic government. There was coup dtat on July 1966 which was led by General Aguiyi Ironsi, and other counter coups followed suit which led to instability in government. When General Yarkubu Gowon came on board, he instituted the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) which has helped in uniting the country. Democracy was welcomed with joy and Nigeria saw its first democratically elected president in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on the 29th of May 1999. The administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo brought to lime light the dividends of democracy. There was massive construction of roads, and improvement in information and communication technology further paved way for development. The ban on foreign drinks, movies and music CDs brought to fore talented Nigerians who are not only recognised in Africa but the world at large. This not only put food on the table of this Nigerians, it also increased the economic power of the nation and has helped to reduce unemployment. In 2003, Nigerians witnessed yet another democratic election which returned Chief Olusegun Obosanjo. In order to combat and check crime rates the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practises and other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) came into existence. After his second tenor in 2007, came a smooth democratic transition which brought about the regime of President Umar Musa Yaradua whose pursuit for peace and unity of Nigeria was shown when he gave amnesty to militants of crisis devoured Niger Delta. His demise saw the coming of his deputy as president in the person of Goodluck Jonathan. Debt incurred by Nigeria was waved courtesy of Nigeria heroine Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala. Our own Nobel prize winner; Wole Soyinka whose

contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria cannot be over emphasised through his novel, dramas and poetries. Football wise, Nigeria has made a mark. In Atlanta 1996 which was Nigerias first appearance in the World Cup. Nigeria disgracefully beat the dreaded Argentina and from then on, Nigeria has made excellent progress in the field of soccer and other sports.

The land is green, the future is bright and the time is now. Nigeria will surely get to the promise land but this need to be achieved by the joint effort of all and sundry because no chair can stand with one leg. We must say no to bribery and corruption and spearhead the success of this nation Nigeria. With our rich and fertile soil, I see Nigeria of my dream making agriculture its main base and promoting the work abilities to boost food production. Yes! The gentle stride of a tigress is no cowardice as she works to be one of the industrialised economies. In the years to come, Nigerians will not celebrate pipe borne water as luxury, and generating sets will be thing of the past because electricity power will serve us day and night. People will no longer travel abroad in search of greener pastures as that which they are looking for abroad will be bountiful here in our father land. I believe so much in our country Nigeria because the architecture of our future is not only unfinished; the scaffolding has hardly gone up and this signals a lot of hope. Nigeria: Good People Great Nation. Long live Intercontinental Bank PLC! Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!