By Rachael Arukai, Dutse
As Nigeria celebrates its 60th independence anniversary, citizens have continued to express mixed reactions, with many positing that the country has nothing on record to celebrate her freedom from colonial rule.
ASHENEWSONLINE spoke with a few citizens in Dutse, capital of Jigawa state.
Former member representing Birniwa, Guri and Kirikasamma Federal constituency of Jigawa state in the House of Representatives, Mr Abba Adamu called for political revolution in order to produce leadership.
He stressed that Nigeria needed people that will sincerely serve the people and help revamp the bartered economy, adding that the corrupt ones must be removed from the system.
The former lawmaker said Nigeria has nothing to be proud of at 60 despite its huge population, natural resources and man power because the quality of life of an average Nigerian is very poor.
“Despite our resources, millions of Nigerians are still living below one dollar, COVID-19 has exposed how poor our health system really is.”
He also faulted the increment in fuel price by president Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the timing was wrong because of the hardship in the country.
“What is it that the ordinary Nigerian gets freelyt apart from the natural air they breath?”
He observed that with the increase in fuel price, there will be inflation in the country.
Also reacting on the state of the nation at 60, a political observer in Kano, Alhaji Abba Danbazau simply said it is sad that at 60 Nigeria is not a matured country.
“At 60, Nigeria is simply yet to be a very matured nation. Maturity starts even at early age. We are supposed to stand economically stronger, much more than any country in Africa”.
He added that Nigeria has the potentiality of becoming a matured nation, yet corruption in the system will not allow the country to move forward.
“I am not a politician, I think Nigerian politicians and all those in the system has a lot to do in revamping the Nigerian nation.”
Also reacting to Nigeria at 60, the Chairman Senate Committee on information, Senator Danladi Sankara appealed to Nigerians on the need for a concerted effort that will help in strengthening the national unity.
Danladi noted that Nigerians most congratulate each other because remaining together for 60 years despite our difference, is indeed commendable adding there is relative peace in the country in spire of the biting world economic situation.
“We have come a long way at 60, we must celebrate ourselves as a people whom God has brought together to live at one united nation, despite our religious, ethnic and cultural differences.
The Senator commended the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and urged Nigerians to continue to observe all safety measures against the dreaded disease.
