Opinion

Should Nigeria Celebrate 100 Yrs Of Amalgamation?

Published

13 years ago

February 18, 2013

Come 2014, Nigeria would have clocked 100 years since the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protecterates by British colonialists. In view of our chequered history so far, is Nigeria’s 100 years of existence worth celebrating? Our correspondent Calista Ezeaku and photographer, Dele Obinna sought the veiws of Nigerians. Excerpts:

Mr Madume Nixom – Civil Servant

What is the achievement in this 100 years? Is it good road, electricity? We have so many issues at hand. Fine, celebrating 100 years is good but on what basis are we celebrating? A man of 100 years is expected to have achieved at lot but to me as a nation we have a lot of challenges facing us- no good roads, no electricity, insecurity and so on.

So for me, if we must celebrate 100 years of amalgamation, let it be a low key celebration. Let us just thank God that at least we’ve clocked 100 years. Let it not be an elaborate celebration where a lot of money will be lavished on things that have nothing to do with Nigerians. I want our leaders to use this 100 years celebration to think of how to move this nation forward. Let them look at the issue of job creation for the youth. Let them improve on power supply. We have been suffering of power failure for a long time. If they had at least, achieved adequate power supply in the country, every Nigerian will be happy when you talk of celebrating 100 years. To me, the only reason we should celebrate is that Nigeria has continued to be one nation. But on the other way round, I don’t see any reason for that. Is it an avenue for people to enrich themselves through the celebration?

Mr. Ime Ita _ Business man

I think it is good to celebrate the 100 years of amalgamation of Southern and Northern Nigeria but as we do that, let us think of how to improve our economy. Our economy is not stable, there is serious inequality in the country. So we should think of how to develop and sustain our economy.

So far, I think we have tried but we are supposed to do more. We are not developing the way we are supposed to because of corruption and inequality in Nigeria. So I will like our leaders to find ways of tackling corruption in Nigeria. Let them improve internal security in the country and also invest on programmes and projects that will be beneficial to every citizen of Nigeria.

Nnaebuka Ezeonugo – Banker

I will say yes and no. Yes in the sense that it is not easy for a country to mark its N100 years of amalgamation. It’s a laudable achievement. However, what I don’t support is lavishing so much money on the celebration rather than trashing the real issues that need our attention at this time. The best we have achieved is trying to have a civilian government which we are currently enjoying and I believe that with time, we are going to get better.

But I think that for us to be one of the great nations in future, we really have to enact policies that will actually support the youth in a lot of ways. If you look at the educational system in Nigeria, you wonder where the country is heading to. The decadence in the tertiary institutions is really very worrisome. What about the quality of graduates we produce now, people that can’t defend themselves. That is really an indication that the educational system has been defective, I believe we are supposed to be improving by the day not going down. In our time, it was a thing of joy for parents to say my son, my daughter is in federal university. But I don’t think that is the case any longer. Every body wants to send his children abroad or to private universities.

So I don’t think we’ve really achieved much in education. They keep saying we should be self employed but they don’t encourage these young graduates to actually bring out what they have in them. The process of securing loan is so difficult. So there is little or nothing that will really favour the youth and the young graduates, and it really calls for concern. If 50 years before now, these people that are at the helm of affairs did not get quality education and other necessary things that have kept them where they are, I doubt if they would have been in the positions they occupy now.

So if we don’t invest on today’s youth, if we don’t cater for them, in the next 50 years or 100 years, what will become of this nation?

And for us to continue to exist as one country, we should forget about ethnicity and come together to work for the common good of the nation. Every geo-political zone in this country is endowed with one thing or the other. We need to pull these resources together for the development of the country. Government on the other hand should try and provide the basic needs of the citizens both in the urban and rural areas – good education, adequate power supply, good healthcare system, that is all we ask for.

Mr Achebe Chigozie – Transporter

It is worth while celebrating the 100 years of amalgamation because this is a great nation that cannot be compared with any other nation in the African sub region. That is why we are called giant of Africa. When we think of all the challenges that the country had passed through and still remains one country for 100 years, it calls for celebration. I know that politically we are not yet matured as should be expected but gradually we can mature.

Some people have been clamouring for the division of the country due to series of challenges facing us but for me, that is not a solution to our problem. We should continue to forge ahead as one nation.

People like late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe preached one Nigeria and that is where I stand. United we stand, divided we fall.

My only advice is that we should pray to God to give us a leader, the person could be Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Efik, or what have you, it doesn’t really matter, provided he is someone that can rule us in the fear of God. Let us unite and make Nigeria strong.

Mrs Onuigbo Comfort – Business Woman

I think we should celebrate the centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation because at least Nigeria is still one country. We have not divided. Although we have lost so many souls in the recent past, we that are living ought to celebrate and give thanks to God for the gift of life. We should celebrate, future Nigeria should be better. However, with all that we’ve lost and bearing in mind that Nigeria is not where it is supposed to be educationally, economically, politically and all that. The celebration should not be an elaborate one. And for this country to move forward, our leaders should be sincere in the fight against corruption. Let them invest in education and youth empowerment.

Perri Tamuno – Owunari – Public Servant / Environmentalist

Eeem! Some will say it’s worth it you see how far the country has gone, pieces of development, you know how we went into civil war and still remain one entity, then you can say let’s celebrate. But for the present age, I believe they’ll say it is not worthwhile, seeing the crisis in the country now.

If the British took cognizance of the different tribes in the country, they would have laid down some conditions for us to live peacefully, forecasting how Nigeria would look like in the next 50, 100 years. But those things were not taken into consideration and that is why we see ethnic and religious crisis every now and then. That is why some people say that coming together as one entity has done us more harm than good. You see, the South South people, Ndigbo, the Arewa people, the Yorubas saying they need to go their ways. That is to say that the foundation was not right.

But as individuals, I think we need to celebrate because it’s not easy. You’ll see some countries that have stayed for 30 to 40 years being into deep crisis. If you see what is going on in Mali, you will know that it is worthwhile celebrating our existence as one country. And we pray that the so-called Sovereign National Conference will be called for every tribe, every region to discuss how we can continue to exist as one. We still need Nigeria as one. No region can stay as a separate entity for now. We need each other as a body.

However, in the past 100 years. I don’t think we have done well developmentally. We have disabused the principle of sustainable development. There is no equal distribution of wealth. You see high rate of marginalization. Resources from one area being used to develop another area without commensurate development of where that resources is coming from. You see decay of infrastructure everywhere.

Opinion

Monthly Environmental Sanitation Imperative

Published

15 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “A clean environment is not a government gift; it is a civic duty that protects our health, preserves our cities, and reflects our national character.”

For many Nigerians who grew up in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the last Saturday of every month followed a familiar pattern. Roads were deserted, markets closed, and residents swept compounds, cleared gutters, cut overgrown weeds, and disposed off refuse. The monthly environmental sanitation exercise became a national ritual that promoted cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility. As an environment correspondent about two decades ago, I joined officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment on sanitation monitoring tours across Port Harcourt and surrounding communities. Although enforcement officers were sometimes accused of excesses, the exercise succeeded in creating public awareness about the importance of keeping our surroundings clean. Over time, however, the practice faded away in many states.

In its absence, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainages and environmental neglect became increasingly common. Today, heaps of waste line roads, markets and motor parks, while gutters clogged with plastics contribute to perennial flooding. Given the mounting environmental challenges facing Nigerian cities, there is no better time to revive environmental sanitation. Its return is no longer a matter of nostalgia; it is a practical necessity for public health, environmental safety, and sustainable development. Poor sanitation remains a major cause of disease. Stagnant water and uncollected waste create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies and rodents, increasing the risk of malaria, cholera, typhoid and other infections. Floodwaters contaminated by refuse also expose communities to serious health hazards.

Rapid urbanisation has worsened the situation. Cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja are expanding faster than their waste management systems can cope. As populations grow, so does the volume of waste generated daily. Monthly sanitation exercises can help rebuild environmental consciousness. Beyond cleaning streets, they remind citizens that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. They also offer an opportunity to educate children and young people about hygiene, public health and community participation. Critics argue that the old sanitation policy restricted movement and was sometimes abused by security personnel. Those concerns were valid, but they do not invalidate the concept itself. Rather than abandon it, governments should reform the programme to make it more humane, participatory and transparent.

That is why the recent decision by the Lagos State Government to reintroduce monthly sanitation deserves commendation. Even if participation is largely voluntary, the move sends a strong signal that environmental responsibility must be taken seriously. Other states should emulate this initiative. In Rivers State, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency has intensified efforts to improve waste collection and restore Port Harcourt’s reputation as the Garden City. Reintroducing monthly sanitation would complement these efforts and deepen public involvement. At the federal level, policies such as the Digital Waste Marketplace, the Plastic Waste Policy and the National Waste Management Network are commendable. However, environmental sanitation remains one of the most direct and visible ways to mobilise citizens toward cleaner communities.

The exercise, however, must be supported by efficient waste management infrastructure. Citizens cannot be expected to maintain clean surroundings if there are inadequate waste bins, irregular refuse collection, and limited recycling facilities. Governments at all levels should invest in modern waste management systems, properly fund sanitation agencies, and promote recycling programmes. Waste sorting should become standard practice to reduce the volume of refuse ending up in landfills and drainage channels. Countries such as Singapore, Sweden and South Korea have demonstrated that waste can become a valuable economic resource. Recycling industries in these countries create jobs while protecting the environment. Nigeria can adopt similar strategies and turn waste into wealth.

Environmental laws must also be enforced consistently. Regulations against illegal dumping exist in many states but are rarely implemented. Offenders should face penalties, but enforcement must be fair and free from extortion. Urban planning is another critical factor. Poor drainage systems, overcrowding and inadequate sewage infrastructure worsen sanitation problems. Governments must prioritise road construction, drainage maintenance and orderly urban development. Markets deserve particular attention. They generate enormous quantities of waste every day, yet many lack organised disposal systems. Local councils and market associations should work together to establish effective waste collection arrangements in commercial centres. Religious institutions, schools, traditional rulers and civil society groups also have important roles to play.

Environmental responsibility should be taught and reinforced as a social value. Community leaders can help change attitudes by consistently promoting cleaner habits. This issue is even more urgent in an era of climate change. Flooding, erosion and extreme weather events are already threatening many Nigerian communities. Poor waste disposal worsens these challenges by blocking waterways and reducing urban resilience. A clean environment also offers economic benefits. Well-maintained cities attract investors, tourists and businesses. Reduced disease outbreaks lower healthcare costs and improve productivity among workers and students. More importantly, cleanliness reflects national values. A nation that allows public spaces to deteriorate projects an image of disorder and neglect. Nigerians deserve cleaner streets, healthier neighbourhoods and safer communities.

Reviving environmental sanitation will not solve all environmental problems overnight, but it can serve as a powerful starting point. Combined with effective waste management, public education and stronger infrastructure, it can restore environmental consciousness across the country. Ultimately, environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. Government must provide leadership, infrastructure and enforcement, while citizens must demonstrate discipline and civic commitment. From disposing of household waste properly to keeping drains free of obstruction, every Nigerian has a role to play. If Nigeria is serious about protecting public health, reducing flooding and building livable cities, the return of monthly environmental sanitation is a step whose time has come.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

God’s Intentionality in Ecological System

Published

15 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole”.

From the very first chapter of Scripture, the Bible presents a profound truth: creation was not accidental, random, or without meaning. The universe emerged from the deliberate counsel of an all-wise God who fashioned every aspect of life with purpose and precision. The heavens were stretched out by His command, the earth was carefully positioned, the seas were bounded, and every living creature was assigned a distinct role within a perfectly coordinated ecological system. When God surveyed His completed work, He pronounced it “very good,” affirming that creation was whole, harmonious, and exactly as He intended. The natural world remains a visible testimony to God’s intentionality. The sun provides warmth and energy at the right intensity to sustain life. The moon governs tides and seasons. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Rivers irrigate the land and quench thirst. Bees and butterflies pollinate crops. Birds disperse seeds. Animals maintain biodiversity. Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole. Nothing was made without significance, and nothing was left to chance. Among all created beings, humanity occupies a unique and privileged position. Unlike plants and animals, man was created in the image and likeness of God. This divine imprint endowed human beings with intelligence, moral consciousness, creativity, and the capacity for relationship with their maker. It also established mankind as the steward of creation. God granted humanity dominion over the earth, not as a license for reckless exploitation, but as a sacred trust to cultivate, protect, and preserve the world He had declared good.

Dominion, in God’s original intention, was to be exercised with wisdom, compassion, and responsibility. Human beings were meant to care for the land, use natural resources judiciously, and ensure that all forms of life flourished in accordance with divine order. The earth was to be managed as a trust from God, not plundered for selfish gain. Unfortunately, this divine mandate has been grossly misunderstood and widely abused. It is deeply regrettable that man has deviated so drastically from God’s original intention. Instead of stewardship, humanity has too often embraced greed. Instead of preservation, there has been exploitation. Instead of gratitude to the Creator, there has been reckless consumption and abuse of the environment. Across the world, forests are felled indiscriminately, rivers are contaminated, and fertile lands are stripped of their productivity.

Species disappear as habitats are destroyed. Air pollution threatens public health, and climate change disrupts weather patterns and livelihoods. What God created as a life-supporting ecosystem is increasingly treated as a disposable commodity. In Nigeria, the consequences are especially painful. Oil spills in the Niger Delta have devastated farmlands, poisoned rivers, and destroyed fishing communities. Poor waste management clogs drains and contributes to flooding. Erosion eats away homes and roads. Illegal mining and logging scar the landscape. In many cases, communities suffer while those responsible evade justice. At the root of much of this destruction is corruption. Funds earmarked for environmental protection, sanitation, and erosion control are often diverted for personal enrichment. Regulatory agencies are compromised through bribery.

Powerful individuals and corporations place profit above human welfare. Corruption thus becomes not only a moral failure but an assault on God’s creation. This environmental abuse is also a tragic expression of man’s inhumanity to man. When water is polluted, children fall sick. When farmlands are destroyed, farmers lose their means of survival. When rivers are contaminated, fishermen are plunged into poverty. When floods and erosion displace families, communities are torn apart. The burden of environmental degradation falls most heavily on the poor and vulnerable, while future generations inherit a diminished world. Yet, despite humanity’s failures, there remains hope for restoration. God’s purpose for creation has not changed. He still calls His people to responsible stewardship and righteous living. When individuals and nations return to God’s principles, they begin to view the earth not as an object to exploit, but as a sacred trust to preserve.

Responsible stewardship means protecting natural resources, planting trees, reducing pollution, disposing of waste properly, enforcing environmental laws, rejecting corruption, and treating others with justice and compassion. It requires governments to act with integrity, businesses to operate ethically, faith communities to teach creation care, and citizens to take personal responsibility for the environment. Creation care is therefore more than an environmental concern; it is a spiritual obligation. Our treatment of the earth and of one another reflects the sincerity of our reverence for God. To exploit nature, oppress the vulnerable, and enrich ourselves through corruption is to rebel against His purpose. To protect creation and uphold justice is to honor the Creator and participate in His original design. The world God made was declared “very good.” It is our solemn duty to ensure that our actions preserve rather than destroy that goodness.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Confronting National Development In Chinese Style

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “China’s rise was not a miracle. It was the result of deliberate planning, disciplined execution, and a national determination to make poverty reduction the foundation of national development.”

A short TikTok video by @ancientchinaforever recently offered a compelling summary of China’s remarkable transformation from one of the world’s poorest nations to a global economic powerhouse. In just a few minutes, it captured a lesson that developing countries like Nigeria cannot afford to ignore: meaningful development does not happen by chance. It is the product of vision, consistency, and a deliberate commitment to confronting poverty. In 1981, according to the World Bank, nearly 88 percent of China’s population lived in extreme poverty. The country was overwhelmingly rural, industrially weak, and lacking in modern infrastructure. Millions of people had limited access to quality healthcare, education, and basic social services. Yet China refused to accept poverty as its destiny. Its leaders made a strategic decision to treat poverty reduction as the starting point of national development.

Rather than relying on slogans or isolated welfare programmes, they created a coordinated system that mobilised government institutions at every level toward one overriding goal: improving the living conditions of ordinary citizens.

This was the turning point in China’s history. Poverty alleviation became a national mission. Clear targets were established, responsibilities were assigned to provincial and local governments, and officials were evaluated based on measurable results. Data was used to identify poor households, monitor progress, and adjust strategies where necessary.In effect, China built what may be described as a national development machine.The first major reforms focused on agriculture. Through the household responsibility system, farmers were given greater control over their land and allowed to sell surplus produce after meeting government quotas.

This policy created incentives for productivity and innovation. The results were dramatic. Agricultural output rose significantly, rural incomes increased, and millions were lifted out of poverty.With food security improving, China turned to industrialisation. The government established Special Economic Zones, most notably in Shenzhen, to attract foreign investment and promote export-driven manufacturing. What was once a small fishing community quickly transformed into one of the world’s leading industrial and technology hubs. Factories created millions of jobs, drawing workers from rural areas into expanding urban centres. China soon became the manufacturing capital of the world, producing electronics, textiles, machinery, and consumer goods for global markets.The revenue generated from industrial growth was reinvested in infrastructure and human development.

China understood that development requires more than factories. It demands modern infrastructure that connects people, goods, and markets. Massive investments were made in roads, railways, airports, seaports, electricity, and telecommunications.

Today, China’s high-speed rail system, modern cities, and efficient logistics networks stand as visible proof of decades of purposeful investment. Equally important was China’s commitment to education and healthcare.Schools were expanded, literacy improved, and vocational training equipped workers with the skills needed in a modern economy. Healthcare reforms reduced preventable diseases and protected families from being pushed deeper into poverty by medical costs.These investments ensured that economic growth translated into tangible improvements in living standards.

Another defining feature of China’s development model was policy continuity. Through successive Five-Year Plans, national priorities were clearly outlined and pursued over decades. While leaders changed, the core development agenda remained consistent. This stability encouraged investment, strengthened institutions, and allowed long-term projects to be completed. Unlike countries where each administration abandons the policies of its predecessor, China sustained a clear sense of direction.The results have been extraordinary. According to the World Bank, China has lifted more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty—the largest poverty reduction effort in human history. A broad middle class has emerged, and the country has become the world’s second-largest economy. Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies and Alibaba Group now compete at the forefront of global innovation.

China’s journey has not been without challenges. Rapid industrialisation has contributed to environmental degradation, regional disparities, and demographic pressures. However, these challenges do not diminish the scale of its achievement. They underscore the complexity of transforming a nation of over one billion people. For Nigeria, China’s experience offers valuable lessons. First, poverty reduction must be treated as a strategic national priority rather than a campaign promise. Second, development requires long-term planning and policy continuity. Third, sustained investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and healthcare is essential. Fourth, institutions must be strengthened to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes. Finally, leadership must combine vision with disciplined execution. Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources, entrepreneurial talent, and a youthful population.

What remains missing is a coherent and consistent development strategy that places national interest above politics. China’s transformation demonstrates that development is not a matter of luck. It is the outcome of clear priorities, effective institutions, and unwavering commitment. For countries still grappling with poverty and underdevelopment, China stands as compelling proof that when a nation confronts its challenges with strategic intent and collective discipline, extraordinary progress is possible.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi