NIGERIA @ 65: SHITTU SEES GAINS, UWAZURIKE SAYS NOT TIME FOR WISHES

A former minister of communications, ADEBAYO SHITTU has said that there are various reasons to reflect and celebrate the nation’s Independence Day. ADEBAYO SHITTU said while sixty-five years in the life an individual is a lot of time, but is not too late in the development of a nation like Nigeria. SHITTU noted that Nigeria had a faulty start at independence in October, 1960, which altered the course of the nation’s journey based on ethnic and regional considerations. Speaking during an interview on a Lagos radio station, the former communications minister urged the National Assembly to do more to drive the development of Nigeria. Conversely, Chief GODDY UWAZURIKE who is a senior lawyer and former president of Aka Ikenga think tank group, said sixty-five years was not a time to make wishes. GODDY UWAZURIKE said at independence in 1960, Nigeria had potentials to be one of the leading nations of the world. However, UWAZURIKE said military intervention in the administration of Nigeria set the stage for the derailment of the ideals of the nation’s forbears at independence. Looking ahead, Chief GODDY UWAZURIKE outlined some of the things he believes should be done to return Nigeria back on the path of progress.