66th Independence: Nigeria still far from land of promise, says PCRC official

A national consultant to the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mr Chima Chukwunyere, has said that Nigeria at 66 remains “far from the land of promise”.

Chukwunyere, a former chairman of PCRC in Imo, said this at a news briefing in Owerri, on Tuesday.

He said that post-war developments had brought worsening insecurity, with terrorism and armed robbery becoming rampant.

He criticised Nigeria’s politics which, according to him, is characterised by religion and ethnicity.

Chukwunyere said, “The country I see today is not the Nigeria I was born into over 70 years ago.”

He recalled a time when Nigeria commanded dignity and respect among the comity of nations, “when electricity was more reliable and running water was available”.

Chukwunyere also expressed concern over the present economic hardship in the country, saying some Nigerians could no longer afford basic medications.

He lamented that security operatives still trekked into forests in search of criminals, arguing that such operations could be carried out far more efficiently with drones or helicopters.

He condemned the high level of insecurity and online fraud, and argued that lies and deceit had undermined the country’s democratic ideals.

He further expressed worry that although killings occur daily, perpetrators were often known but not brought to justice.

The septuagenarian emphasised that government had failed to tackle cultism and other acts of criminality.

“A government that has not addressed cultism cannot address terrorism.

“Nigeria at 66 is like a 66-year-old that still bedwets and we must collectively work to make Nigeria great again, with the country‘s leaders taking responsibility,“ he said.

In s similar vein, the Traditional Ruler, Umudioka Royal Dynasty, Orlu, Eze Thomas Obiefule, lauded the country’s uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999 and expressed optimism that it would continue to make gains.

Obiefule said that the country had witnessed both good and bad leaders, adding that there had been more good leaders than bad ones.

He pointed to the recent rise in the country’s foreign reserve as a sign that “there is still light at the end of the tunnel”.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to keep faith with the country and its leaders.