Mr Obaro Elelewor was born on October 1, 1960, the day Nigeria got independence from the British colonial government. He spoke to Punch reporter.
When he was asked, Why are you sad? Aren’t you happy you and Nigeria are 60? He said;
From all indications and verifiable indices of development, Nigeria is a failed state. Nigeria is the capital of poverty, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, massive political corruption, demonic democracy, underdevelopment, diseases and so many other bad things. Corruption is everywhere. What is more annoying is that Nigeria is a dark country because it does not have stable electricity in this 21st century.
Although I’m still optimistic about the future of this country, her greatest problem is bad leadership. Nigeria is a cursed country that has had the misfortune of having illiterate and corrupt leaders –both civilian and military. Unless our leaders do away with corruption and tribal sentiments and concentrate on good governance, our future would remain bleak.
How have you been celebrating your birthdays?
There is nothing to celebrate at independence. Only a foolish man celebrates darkness, unemployment, corruption, armed robbery, banditry, bad governance and kidnapping. I was in my one-roomed apartment with my wife and five children on Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.
It was even difficult to go out with my family because of some ‘area boys’ (street urchins) who were unhappy with Nigeria. They were angry because of unemployment and abject poverty in the land. I stayed indoors to weep for the bleak future of this country and thereafter prayed for it.
Frankly, I have not been celebrating my birthdays because of the challenges confronting us in this country.
Culled from Punch Newspaper
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