Arise, O Compatriots
Today Nigeria is 50 years old. Earlier this week, I jokingly tweeted a friend saying that our country must be in a mid-life crisis with all the issues that face it. She later tweeted her hopes that the next 50 will be greater and better than before. When Nigeria gained its independence in 1960, the country was expected to be at the forefront of economic and political progress as independence continued to sweep the continent. It was expected to lead Africa in its transition from colonial nations to independent one. To be the shining star as Africa went from undeveloped to developed. Nigeria has the largest population in Africa, the most varying ethnic and linguistic groups. At independence we had some of the most experienced politicians and an able and efficient service, and we did (and still do) have a very diversified economy. So what happened? Why are we still at the same place we were at independence... if not actually in a worser place? It's like, as a countr...