By Palang Paul
Sixty-five years after raising the green-white-green flag to announce its independence from colonial rule, Nigeria still stands at a crossroads. While the day calls for celebration, the nation finds itself weighed down by insecurity, hunger, poor welfare for workers, violations of human rights, and collapsing infrastructure.
Across the country, millions of citizens are waking up not to the sound of fireworks but to the fear of gunshots and kidnappings. From the North to the South, banditry, terrorism, and violent attacks continue to claim lives, displace families, and destroy livelihoods. The dream of a safe and secure nation promised in 1960 remains far from reality.
Hunger has become another unrelenting enemy. Despite Nigeria’s vast natural and agricultural resources, ordinary people cannot afford basic meals. Food inflation has pushed families to the brink, with children going to bed hungry while farmers are unable to access their lands due to insecurity. The nation once called the “giant of Africa” now struggles with starvation within its own borders.
Workers, the backbone of the country’s development, remain poorly treated. Civil servants, teachers, health workers, and countless others continue to battle with unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and lack of motivation. Independence means little when those who build the nation live in poverty and hopelessness.
Bad roads across states worsen the plight of Nigerians. Highways littered with potholes and broken bridges not only hinder trade and movement but also become death traps claiming lives daily. Instead of connecting people and opportunities, these roads stand as symbols of government neglect.
Nigeria’s independence was meant to usher in dignity, freedom, and prosperity. Yet, 65 years later, too many of its citizens live in fear, hunger, and despair. The government cannot afford to continue with rhetoric and promises while its people suffer. Concrete action must be taken now to secure lives, feed the hungry, improve workers’ welfare, and fix the nation’s infrastructure.
Nigeria deserves better. The time to act is not tomorrow, but today. True independence will only be achieved when every Nigerian can live in safety, dignity, and hope.
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