Business
Diaspora Nigerian Decries Nigeria, Singapore’s Economies’ Disparity
A Nigerian living in the United States of America, Dr. Emma Diepreye has lamented the gap between Nigeria’s economy and that of Singapore.
He said that the technology and economy of Nigeria at this point is supposed to be at par with that of Singapore and the South Korea, but that corruption and bad leadership have kept the country back ward.
Diepreye, who disclosed this while speaking to The Tide at the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa while on transit to Lagos on Thursday, noted that the country has great potential, but that poor leadership has kept it backward.
According to him, so much of Nigeria’s resources are wasted unnecessarily, adding that he is very much uncomfortable with such things.
“Nigeria is a country with great potential and resources for advancement and development, but corruption and poor leadership have robbed us of advancement.”
“Nigeria’s economy and Technology are supposed to be at the same level with Singapore’s and South Korea’s at this point, but selfishness and corruption have kept us where we are.
I am not comfortable anytime I come home, and see the level Nigeria still is in terms of technology and economy, I feel ashamed.
I left Nigeria in 1980, and I have lived in the United States for 38 years now, and I think things should be done differently now,” he stated.
Diepreye, who is a Bayelsa native by birth, however, posited that what Nigeria needs now to move forward is a selfless leader that would put the country first before any other consideration.
He also decried the state of the Port Harcourt International Airport, noting that the airport has not changed from what he used to see in it.
Corlins Walter
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.