NIGERIA: THE 58 YEARS OLD IMBECILE

Frank Adie writes from Abuja

October 1st is here again; and as we all know, it is a remarkable day in the history of our nation. Fifty eight (58) years ago on this date, our country Nigeria was released from the cell of colonial rule and oppression. On that fateful date, in that year of our Lord (1960), jubilation permeated every facet of this nation as men and women took to the streets to celebrate the birth of an independent nation: Nigeria. Today, our country is still a child at 58.

Back to the title of this piece, retardation, lack of initiative, inertia, suggestibility, lostness in a new environment etc. are features associated with imbecility, and these things are prevalent in our country as a nation.

At 58, the ‘imbecile’ called Nigeria has advanced in age, but has remained retarded economically. Like a typical imbecile, it is yet to develop a viable economic initiative or blueprint that has the potential of getting it out of the doldrums. As a matter of fact, our hope for development as a people has never been as bleak as it is today. If this must change, we must have to do something.

According to President Donald Trump “If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph. When decent people in a nation become bystanders to history, the forces of destruction only gather power and strength”.

As we decide who becomes our captain come 2019, we must revolutionize our perspective and embrace a new and positive way of deciding who we vote into power. Nigeria needs a leader who has the economic and political wherewithal required to manage this ‘imbecilic adult’ in order to show her the way out of the wilderness of the ‘economic Kadesh Barnea’ in which she has been going around for 58 years.

God bless Nigeria.