As Nigeria marked her 60th anniversary of nationhood yesterday, some Nigerians have called for a return to the 1963 Constitution.
A cross section of the respondents who spoke to The Tide on the celebration also said the incursion of the military into the nation’s politics also acted as a setback to the nation.
The Eze Mbam Abali/Eze Risi Oha of Rebisi, Port Harcourt, Eze Christopher Wanodi said what the country needed at the moment was restructuring.
“Nigeria, instead of progressing is retrogressing. The basis of the retrogression is that the country has not learnt enough lessons.
“What we need at the moment is restructuring. We need true federalism, let the right thing be done,” he said.
He also stressed the need for the decentralisation of the power sector, regretting that in spite of the fact that billions of naira had been sunk into the power sector the nation is still having epileptic power supply.
“To me, what we need is for state to generate its own power. Decentralise power supply and the country will move forward.”
Also reacting, the President of Ogbum-nu-Abali Youths Council, Manuchim Praise Lemmy Wopara, said the country should develop an employment policy for the youths to curb restiveness in the nation.
“Governor Wike is doing a lot in youth employment, so let other state governments in the country key in,” he said.
On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Iriebe Community, Eze Jeremiah Worenwu, said unity was the greatest achievement for the country.
“We are celebrating oneness. The challenges of insecurity are not only applicable to us, but other countries also have security problems.
“So let us thank God for being together this 60 years,” he said.
Also reacting, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State, Ofimaobari Igwe, said the country should use the celebration to improve the Agricultural sector.
“Nigeria with its population should provide leadership to the rest of Africa in food production” he said.
Also speaking, Coordinator of CDC Forum, John Onwu budili, said, “The good people of Nigeria mostly the current leaders, should not deviate from the original intention that led to agitation for the Nigerian, Independence.
“If we should evaluate the economic situation of Nigeria, and the system of leadership which our leaders are applying currently, you can agree with me that the leaders and Nigerians are going contrary to the original intention, which led to the agitation for having Nigeria’s independence.
“It is a pity that for 60 years of the Nigerian Independence, we are still celebrating when some of our roads are being patched, we are in a country where ordinary toothpick is being imported, people of creativity are not being encouraged, but hooligans and outlaws are rewarded. We face injustice on daily basis, where leaders do not practise what they preach.
“I believe that during the time of agitation for Nigerian Independence. those our heroes had it in mind that within 25-30 years of Independence, Nigeria would have been a centre of attraction, but the reverse is the case. We now face a country where there is abuse of power, abuse of rule of law, tribalism, corruption, killings, nepotism, injustice of all kinds.
“However, despite our mistakes for the past 60 years, Nigeria’s Independence is a commendable achievement.

By: John Bibor