Independence: Nigeria’s transformation journey stunted – Otti

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

As Nigeria marked 63 years of nationhood on Sunday, October 1, 2023, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says the country has not made much progress in its transformation journey.

Speaking at an Independence Day Parade to mark Nigeria’s 63rd independence Anniversary at Government House, Umuahia, Governor Otti blamed a lot of factors for Nigeria’s inability to live up to the heights expected of it since independence. 

The Governor listed greed, narrow-mindedness, desperation for power, unending pillaging of public resources, among others, as being responsible for the country’s woes.

According to the Governor, the country’s leaders were to blame for much of the country’s woes, adding that the followers also share in the blames. 

“Alot of factors have been blamed for Nigeria’s inability to live up to the heights expected of it since independence 63 years ago.

“My estimation, however, is that Nigeria has not made much progress in its journey of transformation for reasons of greed, and narrow-mindedness. 

“The desperation for power, unending pillaging of public resources and the worrisome refusal to see the bigger picture, boils down to greed and the ungodly urge to think only of ourselves. 

“That corruption and the abuse of resources have combined to cripple several state institutions in the country are manifest products of greed which for me, represents an unhealthy desire to acquire everything for oneself without minding what happens to afterwards and to other people,” Otti noted.

He, however, maintained that the situation was not completely irredeemable, noting that the Independence Anniversary marks “a great day to begin on a new path towards national rebirth.”

“Admitted that a whole lot have fallen out of sync with our dreams and values of nationhood, I do not however think that the situation is completely irredeemable, otherwise many of us will not be here today.

“At any rate, we must refuse to be misled into thinking that change can just happen by merely wishing it. A desire for change must match with appropriate commitment, a clear sense of responsibility and an understanding of the quantum of sacrifice required to turn things around,” he added.

The Governor said that no nation thrives when young people were isolated and added that Nigeria has lost its best in many fields of endeavor as a result of the “Japa syndrome,” noting that if nothing was done to nip the situation in the bud, the country would continue in its downward trajectory.

Governor Otti said that Nigeria was a country with great potentials but acknowledged that the seeds of greatness would not autonomously translate into actual greatness without the collective effort of all stakeholders.

He charged Nigerians to individually and collectively water the seeds of nationhood as planted by the country’s forbearers with a selfless commitment to serving the state and country at large.

Governor Otti said his administration was building a new Abia State that the people would be proud of, adding that he would continue to do what needs to be done to lead the state to a new and more desirable destination.

The event which featured the inspection of the parade mounted by a detachment of the Abia State Command of the Nigerian Police by Governor Alex Otti, was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, and the member representing Isialangwa North/Isialangwa South in the House of Representatives, Hon Ginger Onwusibe.

Others include the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Nmeregini, Secretary to Abia State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Service Chiefs and members of the State Executive Council.