Nigeria at 66: Beyond Survival, the Work of Nation-Building

The journey has been anything but easy. Military coups and prolonged periods of military rule, political instability, economic crises, ethnic tensions, insecurity and social challenges have tested the resilience of the Nigerian state. Yet, through all these difficulties, Nigeria has remained one country.

That is no small feat.

From the mangroves and creeks of the South to the vast plains of the North, Nigerians of diverse ethnicities, languages, cultures and traditions continue to share a common national identity and patrimony. The task before us is therefore not simply to preserve the Nigerian project, but to make it work better for the people.

Independence should mean responsibility.

Another October 1 presents an opportunity to reflect on the good and the bad, the wins and the losses, and to reconsider the decisions we make as government, private entities, traditional institutions, community leaders, family heads and individuals.

The world is fast evolving. We must not be left behind.

As we strive to hold government accountable, let us, at our different workplaces and in our communities, also be accountable. Let us be diligent. Let us start with the little things.

Do not cheat.

Do not abuse vulnerable people.

Do not extort or oppress people.

Do not throw dirt indiscriminately.

Do not vandalise public facilities.

Do not steal.

Do not kidnap.

Do not kill.

Do not abuse government offices.

Do not pad budgets.

Do not compromise quality for public infrastructure.

Do not issue bills for services not rendered.

Do not do what is inhumane.

These may appear to be simple admonitions, but nation-building is often about such acts of responsibility. We cannot demand accountability from government while refusing to be accountable ourselves.

We cannot condemn corruption and simultaneously offer bribes to public officials. We cannot complain about environmental degradation while dumping refuse indiscriminately. We cannot demand good roads and public facilities while vandalising them. We cannot ask for justice while oppressing the vulnerable.

Government, on its part, has a responsibility to provide security, infrastructure, healthcare, education and an environment in which citizens can pursue legitimate livelihoods. Public officials must manage resources transparently and efficiently. Businesses must respect the communities in which they operate.

These responsibilities become even more urgent when Nigerians are confronted with crises that expose weaknesses in public planning and infrastructure.

The devastating floods affecting communities in parts of the country are a case in point. Flood warnings are issued regularly, but warnings must be matched by preparedness, effective drainage, emergency response and protection of critical infrastructure.

In Delta State, communities around Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, have been severely affected by flooding following days of torrential rainfall. A section of the Agbarho-Ughelli stretch of the East-West Road was severely damaged, with one lane and part of the second lane giving way. Motorists have since had to manoeuvre through the remaining portion of the road.

This is not merely a Delta problem. The East-West Road is a critical artery for the Niger Delta, connecting communities and commercial centres and supporting economic activity in a region central to Nigeria's oil and gas industry. The Federal Government should therefore treat the damaged section with urgency.

The same urgency should be applied to other critical infrastructure in the region, including the development and rehabilitation of the ports and the long-awaited coastal road. The Niger Delta cannot continue to bear enormous importance to the national economy, while critical infrastructure serving its communities remains inadequate.

The region's environmental crisis also deserves sustained attention.

Efforts by security agencies and private operators to combat illegal crude oil refining and crude oil theft offer some hope for restoring the region's aquatic ecosystem. But that progress can be undermined by oil spills and other forms of environmental degradation.

Where spills occur, their causes must be properly established, those found responsible must face appropriate sanctions, and affected communities must receive timely remediation and support. For communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing and other activities connected to the waterways, an oil spill can mean the loss of income, food and economic security.

At 66, Nigeria has survived too many crises to take its survival for granted. But survival alone is not enough.

As Nigerians celebrate another Independence Day, the country should look beyond ceremonies and patriotic speeches. Let this anniversary renew our commitment to the difficult work of nation-building.

Nigeria is our common patrimony. Its future will not be secured by government alone, nor by citizens alone. It requires all hands on deck.

At 66, the country has proven that it can survive. The next challenge is to prove that it can thrive.