Opinion
Nigeria At 57: What Will I Tell My Children?
In my family archives, we still preserve the Independence Cup and the Green White Green flag giving to my father as a souvenir in 1960. He was then a standard six pupil at St Mary Catholic School, Erema in the present day Ogba/Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
I grew up to meet the souvenir and my father was fond of it. He told me so many stories about the independence and the Civil War. According to him, there was qualitative education in those days, while clerics were regarded as symbol of purity and representatives of God on planet earth. Clerics then were mainly white men who made their followers to believe that Egypt and Israel were in heaven.
In those days, there were few hospitals manned by the Whites, and their medicines were powerful and potent. My father also told me about the exploits of the great nationalists like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Michael Okpara, Tafawa Balewa, Aminu Kano and many others I cannot remember their names.
There was unity among Nigerians until 1967 when the Civil War broke out. My father, however, blamed the politicians for mismanaging the benefits of independence.
It is over 57 years now that Nigeria attained independence. But what has the country achieved in concrete terms? If my children ask me about Nigeria at 57, what will I tell them? Unlike my father who had something positive to tell me about independence, what positive stories will I narrate to my children?
Maybe, I should tell them that in my days, clerics were no longer the ‘pure’ Whites but greedy blacks who performed magic and called it miracle. Perhaps, I should tell them that the unity, patriotism and selflessness that prevailed at independence have been staked for disunity, religious bigotry, ethnicity, mediocrity and corruption of the over-the-table-kind.
My children will want to know how and why our hospitals have become mere consulting rooms, and our educational institutions breeders of cultists, armed robbers, kidnappers and other dangerous elements that make our beautiful country a land of criminals.
I will further inform them that at independence, when the country gained her political freedom, it had a land mass extending over 23,763 square kilometers, with an estimated population of over 50 million people. It had the single largest concentration of Africans anywhere in the world. And that given its abundant natural resources, vast population and political market relativity, Nigeria was naturally expected to have made rapid progress towards industrialisation and economic development.
I will also not forget to tell my children that an historian was made the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), perhaps, as a result of shortage of qualified economists.
Nigeria at independence had the potential to play a significant role in African liberation from economic doldrums. But 57 years after, that prospect is far from being realised obviously due to poverty of leadership occasioned by nepotism, religious sentiments and what have you.
It is a miserable state of mind to desire few things and have many things to fear. Unfortunately, this is commonly obtained among the rulers of our dear country, who have all the opportunities to turn the country around for good but out of personal aggrandisement, forsake their fatherland.
I will not fail to inform my children that the unfortunate ailment plaguing the present crop of Nigerian leaders is that they are made up of highly educated men and women who parade various degrees but devoid of learning and character. Their predecessors were not so blessed in terms of formal education. The first generation of leaders could only parade teachers with Grade Two certificates. Only few of them acquired higher certificates by correspondence. Yet, they genuinely ran the affairs of the country with zeal, patriotism and selflessness until the khaki boys struck in 1966.
This is not surprising, however. A British author, Francis Beacon had once written that “seeming wise and ambitious people should not be trusted with power as they are likely to impose personal interest in the administration of the commonwealth.”
The truth is that the wise and highly ambitious men who have been ruling us since the 1966 coup that ousted the less literate patriots that got us independence have never in their true minds respected the word of Thomas Paine. Paine, one of those who instigated America revolution when asked which country he came from, responded thus: “The world is my country, all mankind are my brothers and sisters and to do good is my religion.”
Had Nigerian leaders thought this way, there wouldn’t have been need for tribalism and sectionalism which gave birth to the Federal Character Commission, a commission that was supposed to give equal opportunity to all parts of the country irrespective of tongue or religion.
Inspite of this dirge, I will sing a song of hope for my children. I will assure them of better future ahead. I will encourage them never to lose hope inspite of the present state of hopelessness. I have a strong belief that Nigeria will rise again and take its rightful place among the comity of nations. With God on our side and the torch of patriotism held by the citizenry, it is certain that there will be light after darkness. We should all remember that we have no other country we can call our own than Nigeria.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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