Nigeria At 49: We Have Made Progress – Ohuabunwa

Though Nigeria may not have realised the lofty dreams of her founding fathers, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa says the country has recorded some progress in its 49 years of nationhood.

Ohuabunwa, a two-time House of Representatives member representing Arochukwu Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State between 1999 and 2007, while baring his mind on Nigeria ’s nationhood, told The Tide in an interview in Umuahia that all stakeholders must join hands to correct whatever lapses that dogged Nigeria ’s march to greatness so that the country would not crawl at 50.

Ohuabunwa, therefore, called for a thorough review of the system to enable operators of the system to effect a change that would make Nigeria stand tall when she clocks 50. 

Said the leader of the South East caucus in the National Assembly: “Our forefathers had a very beautiful dream for Nigeria . They wanted a Nigeria where people would live in peace; they wanted a Nigeria where people would go to school; they wanted a Nigeria where people would work into the hospitals and you have equipment and drugs; they wanted a Nigeria where you can drive on a smooth road.

“But every adult of 49 years and above know that we have not realised those dreams. But like I always tell people, from signs, we will get there. Those dreams came on the platform of a political, democratic system of government. But we saw that even when you have a dream, there are obstructions, impediments on the way and one of these was the military interregnum that interrupted the dreams”. 

“But now, we have come back to democracy and have gone about eight years and now on the third round. With the little we are seeing, there is hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. But what I am begging every body is that, please, Nigeria should not crawl at 50. It will be a bad thing. Whatever thing all of us can do as we get to 49, and work harder than we have ever worked to make sure that as we get to 50, we must celebrate, not just trying to make excuses.”

The former lawmaker acknowledged that whatever Nigeria has achieved was not up to expectations of Nigerians. “But we have made progress. I know and I pray that by 50, we will be celebrating. This time around, I don’t see much need for celebration; rather we should review our system in all ramifications and make sure that at 50, we will roll out the drums for celebration.”