Nigeria is touted as one of the richest and naturally endowed countries of the world. At no cost nature smiled on us with everything we require to attain greatness. Nigeria’s inability to develop does not stem from lack of resources as suffered by many but as a result of our inability to use the huge resources at our disposal.
It is surprising that many nations not so blessed; suffering environmental challenges such as rocky and mountainous Japan have been able to overcome such impediments launching themselves into global reckoning. But Nigeria is still struggling with self-inflicted wounds of survival.
Meeting the basic needs of existence has been a major challenge of the government. In a 21st century world where people are going to other planets and competing in hi-tech exploits, the country is groping unable to provide foods, affordable housing or industrialize the state to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths roaming the land.
From every geographical part of the nation lands abound in sufficient quantity to provide all of this. In the sixties, the Eastern region was rated among the fastest growing economy of the world ranking higher than the present Asian tigers that have become the rave of the moment in economic development.
Their strength was focused on agriculture especially palm produce which earned the region huge revenue. Today same palm seeds are still there, the lands abound and yet the country still strongly dependent on oil economy while Malaysia that picked seeds from Nigeria to do its palm business is now on top of a people that supported it.
The period the nation focused on the use of its land agriculture soared and so were the west and north of the country making positive impact. The cocoa business flourished in the West while the groundnut pyramids made waves in the north. The mid-west then and present Delta/Edo thrived in rubber. All of these products have not gone into extinction yet the country is bleeding. Is there a curse, one is tempted to query.
Most of our cities are dotted with shanties most times unfit for human habitation. There are lands to build houses. The governments are constantly budgeting for housing projects and promising so much but are hardly realized. It is all noise and no action leaving one to wonder the level of concern of the government for the people.
The closest massive housing project by any federal government which was short-lived was the housing project of the Shagari era which the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) then sought to build 2000 low cost housing units in each state yearly. The success recorded did not go beyond one year and that is the end of the story.
If that program and others like it were sustained and not messed up by the political class the housing problem in the country would have received some good measure of attention.
Aside from the above, lands abound in good quantity for industrializing the nation and by extension providing jobs. The unemployment situation is receiving a boost because of the layoff of workers arising from failed industries which the current governments could not sustain.
It is important for the people to raise queries to their leaders on what has been happening to the annual allocations to agriculture, housing and industry the totality of which ought to improve well-being
News Echo wishes to challenge the federal and state governments to re-strategize on improving the overall welfare of its citizens with a view to improving living and reducing hardship. This is the reason for their existence. Nigerian governors can do better and should cease seeing things only from the prism of politics and selfishness
