In this vox pop, compiled by Samson Folarin, Olaleye Aluko, Seun Ajijala and Yetunde Adeyi, Nigerians bare their minds on the state of the nation at 55

IT seems we are still backward a little. There should be more of God in this country. Americans have a day they call Thanksgiving Day. All shops and markets are shut and they say thank you to God. At the end of it, they say God bless America. So, we should be positive about Nigeria. When we wake up in the morning, ‘God bless Nigeria’ should not be far from our mouths. Then, we should stop the habit of condemning our leaders. Leadership starts from our homes. It is worth celebrating, but we are still crawling like babies.” –Funmilola Okeowo

“Fifty-five years of independence should be a great thing to celebrate, but in the minds of many Nigerians, it seems not to be so. We all have good reasons which border on the condition of living. I think government at all levels can do more to answer the call of duty, and we the governed should learn to be more disciplined.” –Joseph Ugwuanyi

“We give glory to God that Nigeria is now 55. It is God that has been keeping us and we believe that the God that has kept us to this point, will give us the land that He has promised us. Nigeria is a land flowing with milk and honey. As the children of God are praying, we believe God for a better and greater Nigeria. We believe that the change he has brought to us will affect all areas of the country. I believe that God will use Buhari to bring back the change we long for.” Deaconess Titilayo Enajero, an administrator

“Nigeria has come of age, but we are not there yet. There are still so many hurdles to cross- politically and economically. I think the most important thing is leadership; if we can get that right, then, there is hope.” –Oladeinde, civil servant.

“At 55, I think we should stop chasing shadows. Government at all levels should see to the social welfare of the masses rather than using our meager national resources to chase ‘past corrupt leaders.’ –Hunwathan Anu

“It is time for proactive measures to end corruption, nepotism, and bogus salary for political office holders. Nigeria is in a quagmire because our leaders don’t have the political will to make the country a better place for all of us to leave. It is 55 years of total failure.” –Sadare Macaulay

“There is hope for Nigeria. If you look back from 1960 till now, we have improved. We have improved in every area-education, power, infrastructure, and others. Rome was not built in a day; we are moving forward. There is hope for Nigeria and our youths. Today, a child of six years can speak good English, unlike in those days when we could not even write. Now, you can see a teenager of 16 years gaining admission into the university. Then, our hands had to touch our ears before we gained entry into primary school, so we are moving.” –Elder Dominic Nwamana, a businessman

“Things are getting better now. Some Nigerians are now happy about the new government. As for corruption, Nigerians are changing. If you go to some police stations now, they are afraid to collect bribes. It is better for the future; let’s watch as things get better.” – Mr. Honest

“As Nigeria marks 55, we expect the Federal Government to improve on certain key areas such as electricity and healthcare. Most of our roads are bad, and the government must fix them. When there are good roads, and electricity, all things will be better and the economic lives of people will improve. The present administration has not done badly in its few months in office. But Nigeria does not yet have a reason to celebrate; a good government in power will soon bring reasons for us to celebrate.” Adepoju Olugbenga, Business Manager

“The situation in Nigeria is not encouraging yet. We still have a large number of unemployed youths. The necessary socio-economic infrastructure to make citizens’ lives better is not on the ground. So, I am expecting massive job creation for the youth. And then, the rehabilitation of our roads like the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The impact of this new administration will only be felt when things improve for the masses. We are still waiting for the actual change that was promised.” –Sennuga Oluwaseun, I.T. expert

“We should have celebrated a lot but unfortunately we always have rulers and not leaders since independence. Until Nigeria gets a visionary leader, we are going no where. Singapore was a third world country, but when a visionary leader came, the whole story became a history.” – Ejeh Smith

“Management and leadership deficiencies, plus corruption, are the key problems. Selfless service, which is very essential for development, is scarce.

Most of our youths have lost the sense of nation building, while our leaders are building bank accounts and structures, rather than building the youth.

Poverty has taken over the sense of right thinking by the youth that they have become toys in the hands of politicians.

This nation shall live, but we need to kill corruption and learn the act of good leadership and management. Above all, we need God, so we must learn to acknowledge him in all our ways.” –David Aremu

“Nigeria at 55; we need to reflect in retrospect on our past. Now that we have a new government, and, as far as I’m concerned, the person who is leading the government is someone whose personality I cherish, and I feel his tenure would bring positive change to this country. But what we need now is aggressive and rapid change for a brighter and rewarding future, which is far from transient.” –A. B. Sanusi, an engineer

“As an independent nation, we expected something greater than this at 55; but unfortunately, our leaders, and we Nigerians, have not been helping the situation. If we can all be truthful to ourselves and we can do things right, things will be better. It starts from obeying traffic rules, and complying with simple work ethics. There are lots of businesses collapsing because of the insincerity of workers. Get outside the country, and you will see Nigerians that are in high positions in so many countries, but unfortunately, many of them find it difficult to come back. Some of them even left here with nothing. There are many things that are wrong and I believe that this government will give us the change that we expect” –Telle

“At 55, I think we should work on having a national vision; we should have national ethos such as distingushing characters, attitudes and fundermental values to change the world’s perception of Nigeria,” –Adeosun Temitope-Great

“The major area the government needs to improve on is security. That is one of our most desperate needs.

Also, there is still a high rate of unemployment in the country. When we and our children have good jobs, there will be reduction in crime.

The present government is bringing on some positive changes since it resumed office, and it should continue with those efforts.” –Moses Olubowale, a contractor

Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Happy indepence Nigeria!

http://www.punchng.com/news/vox-pop/our-views-on-nigeria-at-55/

If we have strict and stable leadership that will support the efforts of law abiding citizens and force the unlawful people into a straight line, encourage Education and comunity development Nigeria will be back to her glory days

delishpot:
If we have strict and stable leadership that will support the efforts of law abiding citizens and force the unlawful people into a straight line, encourage Education and comunity development Nigeria will be back to her glory days

well said!

we should correct our attitude from the grassroot. Stop condeming our Leaders, everyone deserve a chance. Erase d phrase 'African time'

Its independence, Nigeria @55. We should have the have the opportunity to air our views! CC: lalasticlala please help this make front page.

SweetyZinta:
we should correct our attitude from the grassroot. Stop condeming our Leaders, everyone deserve a chance. Erase d phrase 'African time'

In life people want to do what they want to do. Good leadership plays a prime role. That is why we have leaders because left to their devices people will do what is comfortable and less stressful to them. They will dump trash in the streets while some will clean up. Some will cheat some will be honest. Some will steal, rape, help other, kill others etc. Its the leaders that will encourage the good ones to continue being good and deal with the law breakers to discourage their bad actions.
when the people see that there is a reward for any action they will fall in line.
if the govt doesnt care to protect its laws and citizens then anything goeS but if the reverse is the case people will think twice before they do anything.
Not to say people should not try to change all I am saying now is the people need guidiance,suport and protection and then as time progresses they will naturaly follow the standard set by their leaders after years and years of living that way.