October 1 is a very special date in Nigeria. It marks Nigeria’s proclamation of independence from British rule on 1 October 1960.
As the country celebrates its 62 years of self dominance and freedom three days ago, some Nigerians have taken to social media platforms to express their grievances over sad state of the country.
These aggrieved Nigerians while citing bad economy, poor infrastructure, unemployment and insecurity as products of 62 years of struggle after independence blamed the despicable state of the country on bad leadership.
A category of aggrieved Nigerians accused past leaders of looting and milking the country dry while another category attributed the blames on every Nigerian.
The political and elite class that milked and still milking the country were aided by the common Nigerians and they are unconsciously promoting the selfish agenda of the elite.
A check by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that some citizens also claimed that the country, Nigeria have failed them and regretted being citizens.
These aggrieved citizens are further categorized into six, namely;
Students
Nigerian students in public varsities (federal and states) are one of the categories of citizens claiming they have been failed by the country.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared a total and indefinite strike which commenced on February 14, 2022.
This decision led to closure of all federal universities including some state varsities who joined the struggle in solidarity.
For the past 8 months, these varisities have been shut, depriving students the opportunity to continue or complete their studies.
Expressing their grievances on Independence Day via social media, some students said the continued strike caused by the inability of the government and ASUU to resolve amicably has greatly affected their plans, depriving them of necessary growth.
Graduates
According to a data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate for the second quarter of 2020 rose to a record-high 27.1%.
Graduates who leave schools and join the colony of unemployed take a larger percentage.
This colony of unemployed graduates keeps expanding every year as more students complete their studies and have no jobs to do.
The Federal Government has not gone to bed over the issue through provision of grants for small-scale businesses and introduction of entrepreneurship as a compulsory course in tertiary institutions.
However, these steps have not controlled the growing colony of unemployed as it pushes the country to greater risks of increase in crime rate.
As Nigeria celebrates its 62nd Independence anniversary, unemployed Nigerians especially graduates believe that Nigeria has failed them.
Civil servants
Aside the civil servants of the federal government extraction, most states’ civil servants have not started earning via new minimum wage while some civil servants spent the 62nd Independence Day in hunger due to unpaid salaries.
A report revealed that eight state governments failed to pay some of their workers for at least six months, a new report has revealed.
The states are; Taraba, Nasarawa, Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Plateau, Imo, and Abia.
As Nigeria celebrates its 62nd Independence anniversary, these civil servants believed that Nigeria has failed them.
Host communities of mineral resources
Residents or natives of host communities where mineral resources can be found or are currently being exploited have a story to tell too.
Aside the environment degradation caused as a result of mining, more than 60 percent of lands can not be used for agricultural purposes.
Residents and natives await expected solutions from the government especially its plans to caution the activities of miners and reduce the possible effects of pollution likely to be caused by mining activities.
From Niger Delta to states where gold and other mineral resources can be found, it has been a sad tale of neglect, exposure to pollution and environmental degradation.
These residents believed that Nigeria has failed them.
Business owners, artisans and transporters
Artisans like fashion designers, hairdressers, barbers among others depend greatly on electricity to work.
Most times these people end up purchasing petrol to beat time or meet up their customers expectations.
Gains or profits meant to be saved or for upkeep are diverted for purchasing of petrol.
Owing to increasing production cost, business owners are equally passing through their tough moments.
Drivers and Okada riders who buy fuel at disadvantaged or high price and sometimes go home with nothing also see themselves as victims of Nigeria.
Aside the high cost of spare parts, they see the high cost of motorcycles and vehicles caused by customs duty as a great challenge.
As Nigeria celebrates 62nd Independence anniversary, they believe that the country has failed them.