Nigeria @ 55; who is responsible for our underdevelopment

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We-are-Nigerians-Amalgamation-DocumentaryIt is now 55 years since Nigeria got her independence in October 1 1960 from our colonial masters of England.

There were many hurdles including series of conferences within and outside the country that mounted so much pressure on the colonial masters that later transformed into a full fledge autonomy for what is now known as Nigeria.

Unfortunately, 55 years later despite huge abundant human and material resources needed to develop the country; it is still one of the least developed countries in the world. There were many projections in the 1960s and 70s that the country may likely joint what is now known as “the Asian tigers”.

But a multifaceted problem ranging from corruption, lack of good governance and so on that have crippled the country in the path of development.

There were many questions that needed answer as to why the country is still struggling to move forward and who are responsible for its retarded ness.

Cross sections of students from different departments in Bayero, university, Kano have their take on the subject.

Ibrahim Ali, a student in the department of political science attributed Nigeria’s problems to the colonial Masters for amalgamating the then two protectorates against the wishes of people ” I will lay the blame for our underdevelopment on our colonial invaders for the deceitful marriage between northern and southern protectorates. If you joined two couples that are not willing to stay together, definitely they will not build a family” Ibrahim Aliyu added that ” the colonial masters dictate to our leaders behind the scene. Whether we like it or not they still have a say in Nigeria”.

But Abdullahi Shuaibu from electrical engineering department linked Nigeria’s problems on what he called systematic corruption that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the country. “Somewhere sometimes ago said corruption in Nigeria is not about who is corrupt, but who is not corrupt. Corruption has become the habit of many Nigerians, particularly politicians”he said.

In his opinion, Sunusi Yakubu Muhammad from economic department said, the inability of the country to invest in the education sector is part of the major problems that always put a halt in the country’s progress ” We cannot move forward as a nation when we still have a highest out of school children. Our educational sector has collapsed from top, downward. Our primary schools do no longer exist, they only exist in structures, our universities constantly on strike, how are we going to progress with this dwindling system of education?  He queried.

Still blaming the colonial masters, Gabriel Tsendiir from mass communication department said the divide and rule tactics employed by the colonists have contributed in fuelling crisis among different ethnic groups in Nigeria consequently retarding its development.

But for Samuel Okechukwu from faculty of education, Nigeria’s problems are from within, saying the over dependence on foreign countries for for production of basic needs is the major dizziness in the country’s quest for development.

He said unless the country device means to reduce such abnormal reliance on foreign countries to produce the basic necessities of life, Nigeria will remain backward.

Several commentators from different walk of life have advanced so many reasons as to why Nigeria is still bedeviled with huge socioeconomic and political challenges despite its huge human and material resources.

With the need government in place, especially its anti corruption crusade, a vast majority of Nigerians are optimistic, things will change for the better.

But for how long would Nigerians wait to witness the so called anticipated change, only shall tell.

Imrana Sulaiman, a level 400 student of Mass communication department, Bayero university, Kano.

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