As Nigerians celebrate 64th Independence anniversary, the House of Representatives Minority Caucus has called on Federal Government to urgently adopt a pragmatic makeover to cushion the effect of dibilitating hunger, accentuating poverty and spiraling inflation.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Reps Minority Caucus Leader, Rep Kingsley Chinda on Friday.
Hear the Minority Caucus:
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives wishes to congratulate all citizens on the auspicious occasion of Nigeria’s 64th year independence anniversary.
” As we all celebrate another year of freedom from our colonial masters, the Caucus salutes the sacrifices of our heroes past who gave everything for the independence we savour today.
“Also, we give honour to citizens who paid the supreme price in the course of their commitment towards having a virile, and prospective country. We also acknowledge the resilience of Nigerians; particularly youths who as the future of the nation have continuously held the banner of involvement and inclusion by successively interrogating leadership and governance at all levels.
“Today, presents another opportunity for sincere reflection, and objective introspection for us as a people to look back on the journey of our nation; the road taken and not taken. In doing this, we must be honest in our assessments; fair, frank, and firm. It is when we are true, and factual about our state of nationhood that the country can wriggle out of stymied development towards achieving her full potentials as a prosperous country.
“Indeed, the situation has been palpable, and worrisome over the years. The country is going through vagaries of challenges. From staggering and spiraling inflation to accentuating and corrosive poverty, and debilitating hunger, it’s been a sorry situation.
“How about disabling unemployment, aggregate insecurity, and other multi-faceted indices of under-development?
“Fact is that, Nigerians on a daily basis, have despondency, despairs, regrets, and pains writing on their faces. From the North, to the South, East and West, it is the same sad, ugly, and pitiable story.
” There is overarching disillusionment, fading patriotism, and dwindling believability about the nation, and government by citizens.
“More disturbing is the level of hopelessness among Nigerians about government plans and actions. Many Nigerians believe that the sad realities of hunger, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and other economic negatives are fast gliding; in monumental proportions from bad to worse. Somehow, as a result of government and citizens disconnect, the peace, unity, and tranquility; necessary ingredients for realistic growth and development are becoming rare and scarce.
“Though in 64 years of existence as an independent nation, there are few successes and achievements recorded by the past and present administrations, there are more fields yet to be cleared. Given Nigeria’s status as the most populous black nation in the world, her geographical size, and naturally endowed environmental vegetation, we should not be crawling, groping in the dark, and ravaged with visible features of under-development, lack and want. Sadly, other nations that got independence same period as Nigeria, have gone ahead of us in terms of meaningful growth and development.
“More alarming is that these countries are no where near Nigeria in terms of population, natural resources, human capacities, and friendly eco-system.
“As a Caucus, on the occasion of this year’s independence celebration, we state emphatically that Nigeria is in dire need of pragmatic makeover.
“There has to be deliberate, conscious, and timely approach towards positively turning the tide of visible socio-economic statis, and multivalent structural challenges that has plagued the nation. We should leverage on this year’s independence anniversary as a veritable platform for re-awakening, re-engineering, and re-positioning our beloved nation towards the process of achieving identifiable development in all sectors.
“As a Caucus, we are resolute towards contributing our quota in changing the present narrative to a more purposeful, and fruitful national story. This is a clarion call to everyone in positions of leadership; the legislature, executive, and judiciary, as well as those in the private sector, the media, civil society, and fellow Nigerians.
“Now, is the time for Nigeria’s makeover!