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Peter Obi Calls for Reflection and Rebuilding as Nigeria Turns 64
As Nigeria marks its 64th independence anniversary, Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has called on Nigerians to reflect deeply on the nation’s journey since gaining independence.
In a heartfelt statement, Obi urged citizens, especially leaders, to take this day as an opportunity not only to celebrate but also to engage in sober reflection.
Obi acknowledged Nigeria’s vast resources—natural, human, and material—that position the country for greatness.
However, he stressed that the country’s current state of affairs calls for introspection, especially for leaders whose actions and inactions have contributed to the challenges the nation faces today.
He posed critical questions about Nigeria’s progress in key areas like poverty alleviation, education, and economic stability.
“Have we lifted our people out of poverty, or have we driven more into it? Have we made education accessible to every Nigerian child?” Obi asked.
He noted that despite the rich potential of the nation, Nigeria is underperforming in almost every measure of development, from security to economic productivity.
Obi pointed out that Nigeria ranks poorly in global indices of security, peacefulness, and corruption, with widespread disregard for the rule of law.
Comparing Nigeria to other countries that gained independence around the same time, Obi lamented that Nigeria stands out as a nation in decline, urgently in need of rescue from further decay.
On this day of celebration, Obi urged Nigerians to make a solemn commitment to build a nation free from tribal disunity, religious disharmony, and the state capture that has dragged it into failure.
He called for the creation of a New and Productive Nigeria that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens.
“That is the independence we should celebrate,” Obi said, emphasizing that Nigeria’s greatness remains possible.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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