WHICH WAY NIGERIA AT 56?

First, permit me to pay homage to our late Sunny Okosun, who sang the song "Which Way Nigeria" in the 80s, when from the look of things today in the country, one can say: Nigeria was in her golden age.

Any man or woman at 56 years of age will deem self as middle age, and maybe at the peak of life or has experienced the best life has to offer, given the life expectancy in other countries. But Nigeria with life expectancy of 52.11 as at 2012, the person is either dead or experiencing unproductive years.

Any honest assessment of the goings on in Nigeria will be concern about the direction of the country at 56. When we should have been stabilized from the teething problems of a young nation and focused our priorities on development and competing at our own pace with developed nations; each succeeding administration has raised the hope of the people, but only to dash it in a grand style.

The current administration has exceeded the previous ones, because it has done/gone where no other had or imagined. Its extent of destruction of the basic fabric that holds the country together is unparalleled. I mean, in ethnic chauvinism in appointment of key government officials, looking the other way while Fulani cattle men or Boko Haram sympathizers kill farmers in different parts of the country from Southern Kaduna, Adamawa, Benue, South-west, Enugu, Abia, and to other states.

Manifest promotion of Islam as a religion, and ignore the secular status of the country as enshrined in the constitution, etc.

Nigerians were sold on "change" and anti-corruption! Where are we now? With naira exchanging at #496.00 to a $1.00 this week and the anti-corruption with no conviction and no ex-official or present ones serving a jail term commensurate with the level of profligacy committed in office. Where is the deterrent to serve as a lesson to future office holders and prevent a repeat of the past and present in the future?

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (proverbs 14: 34), is a scripture verse that every Nigerian should meditate on we celebrate our Independence as a nation. Ask yourself as I have done: How have I contributed to the current state of affairs in Nigeria? Seek repentance, make restitution, and do what is right if your conscience holds you responsible in any way.