APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The annual Independence Day Poll result released by NOIPolls Limited on Sunday in Abuja has revealed that 31 percent of adult Nigerians opined that Nigeria as a nation has not achieved anything since it attained the status of Independence in 1960.
Furthermore, 23 percent of Nigerians cited insecurity as one of the greatest challenges Nigeria as a nation has faced since independence. Other challenges mentioned are economy (20 percent), corruption (20 percent), bad leadership (17 percent), and ethnicity/tribalism (8 percent) amongst other challenges.
Despite the challenges, Nigerians still pinpoint some achievements the country has made since her Independence. The top three achievements include democracy (14 percent), national unity (9 percent), and telecommunication (7 percent).
Other mentions include large population (3 percent), electricity, (3 percent), education (3 percent), security (3 percent), and social cohesion (3 percent) amongst others.
When asked about the single most important issue Nigeria as a nation should address in the next year, 28 percent of Nigerians mentioned the economy, which is closely followed by insecurity (21 percent). Other issues mentioned are poverty alleviation (13 percent), job creation (9 percent), corruption (8 percent), bad governance (3 percent), electricity (3 percent), and education (3 percent).
And when respondents were asked which country has been positively impactful to Nigeria’s political and economic development since her Independence, interestingly, the United States of America (27 percent), China (24 percent) and the United Kingdom (17 percent) came top.
Other countries mentioned are Israel, Ghana, France, Saudi Arabia, Niger, and Russia (2 percent each) amongst other countries mentioned.
However, it is worth noting that 22 percent of Nigerians stated that no country has had any positive impact on the political and economic development of Nigeria since independence.
On the survey background, the NOI stated that Independence Day is an official national holiday in Nigeria, celebrated on the 1st of October. It marks Nigeria’s proclamation of her Independence from British rule on 1 October 1960. The holiday is commemorated annually by the government and the people of Nigeria with pomp and pageantry.
However, in the last decade, activities to commemorate the anniversary have continued to decline. This is a clear reflection of the state of the nation. This year, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. George Akume stated in a press conference in Abuja, that Nigeria will mark its 63rd Independence Anniversary with a low-key celebration.
The decision to scale back the festivities was taken considering the country’s economic challenges. He added that no world leaders have been invited, “The celebration is low-key as due to the realities on the ground.” But the anniversary will be celebrated under the theme “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity”
With unmet expectations for Nigerians, this year’s Independence Day Anniversary is a time for Nigerians to reflect on their gains and challenges while mapping out feasible ways of improving on the gains.
GIK/APA
Nigeria has not achieved anything since independence – Survey
