Nigeria: A nation sitting on a pot of treasures and her untold economic woes

Came into existence by the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorate by Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard on the first day of January, 1914.

Before the colonial era, the people who were domiciled at the geographical region called "Nigeria" today once lived as one of the happiest and wealthiest people in Africa and neighboring continents. 

The rich agricultural produce, bustling trading activities, the traditional crafts of basket making, blacksmithing, pottery, sculpture, weaving, to mention but few. Were the economic mainstay. No man lived without a job.

The traditional leadership styles: the emirates councils of the North, the igwe and cabinet leadership of the south and the Oba of the West; whence the people were governed with uprightness and the fear of the supreme being. 

Years after amalgamation, the nationality movements began believing that the whites were the real enemy. The zeal could be read on Zik's speech many other front liners in the movements and  finally a new independent country was birthed, to be addressed as "Federal Republic of Nigeria" on first October, 1960.

If the whites were the real enemies, there are few questions that call for answers:

• For how long have the whites left Nigeria but it seems the progress are now on the reverse side?
• Would there have been reasons for coup and counter coups that took place between 1960 to 1999 if the the forefront politicians lived up to the federal characters of the country as established by the law?
• Would there be any civil war if the country actually stood on the tripod of equity, fairness and justice?
• Why has the extractive and manufacturing factories built by the colonialists and military governments gradually became moribund?
• Why has the unemployment rate rose geometrically with many of our youths putting themselves on a sword edge just to escape the border police to countries that Nigeria were far better off?

This list is inexhaustible...

Nigeria was rated as one of the highest deposit of crude oil in the world yet, was declared as the capital city of poverty few years ago.

I have always been the tiny voice canvassing for better performances of our political leaders. Nigeria is a mighty country sitting on a pot of treasures yet suffer the worst economic woes. Nigeria's rich human and material resources have long been put into wrong use. If the whites were the real problems, what actually happened for the past 60 years after the whites were ousted? 

The way forward: 

1. Honest Electoral reforms: 

I watched the laughable drama that played out during the last general elections in Nigeria. The political classes were actually stronger than the people, the Electoral umpire believed themselves to be "the gods" in the process. The laws were bent to siut whoever was anointed for each each office.

If Nigeria really needed a working society, the law makers should have started by giving the nation a befitting electoral laws free from clauses meant to give the political classes undue advantages. If a working system is needed, there should be realtime electronic transmission of votes; returning power to the people. Transparency must be returned to the system. The Electoral commissions shouldn't be given the supreme power to decide how the results are transmitted; rather a method most preferred by the people.

     2. Cut down the earning of political office holders by nearly 80%: 

Some comparative studies have unearthed the humongous load of earnings being carted away monthly as salaries by political office holders. The cost of governance triples every year leaving the country with none to be put to meaningful use. None of the political class came to power without valid means of livelihood. They can all fend for themselves without the government treasures. Cutting down their allowances, the huge travel expenses, allowances for newspapers which they never opened, wardrobe allowances while they have stack of unused clothes, the long lines of convoys which are being maintained by the scarce resources will do the country greater good. About 50% of the country's earning goes into politician's salaries  and ostentatious lifestyles; forgetting the old saying that "no head is bigger than the other". The country's resources and treasures should be uniformly distributed.

    3. Massive industrialization: 

The more industries in the street, the more productive the people, the more industries, the more the national earning. The more the industries, the lower the unemployment. Industrialization will solve 90% of the Nigeria's problems; boosting economic strength and as well reduce crime rates.

Other areas that requires massive and urgent reforms in Nigeria are:

• The judiciary, 
• The Military entirely and the Nigerian police, 
• The educational system and 
• citizen's welfares just to mention but few.

I made a search about China and how they drifted from one of the most impoverished countries to a globally leading nation in terms treasury, technology and security. Most of the reforms that were put in place revolved around industrialization and economic reforms. 

Their actions and laws to redeem the countries' glory were centered around:

1. Economic reforms from a consuming nation to export based nations
2. Heavy industrialization
3. Technological advancements, taking most of their talented youths to countries like United States for technological diffusion.
4. Agricultural reforms
5. Land and wealth redistribution, freeing up most land possessions from the rich elite classes and redistributing it the poor masses.

(Mao Zedong reforms of 1949 - 1976 and Deng Xiaoping reforms of 1978 - 1992).

Nigeria today is in a mess, worst than what China experienced. The elite classes are relaxed, private jets are being acquired in millions of dollars, more cars are added to their fleets, the general population can no longer afford three square meals, price of goods are getting higher than life itself.

If the leaders are honest about the future of the nation, now is the time to declare a State of emergency on our economy, there should be urgent reforms just like what was done by the People's Republic of China.

It is always our prayer that Nigeria will rise on her  pedestal and maintain the name "The giant of Africa" in economic performance, security, technology, governance and respect for humanity. Through Nigeria, Africa shall rise!

God bless Africa.

God bless Nigeria

By 

NA NWANGWU 

nwebonyianayo@gmail.com