Nigeria today celebrates 52 years of colonial independence. Yet go and speak in the streets to the majority of it's citizens, the so called masses, and they will tell you they are not in the mood to celebrate anything. Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa, with roughly 130 million citizens, as projected by the United Nations. It is also the richest African country in terms of natural mineral resources. Yet most of it's citizens live below the poverty line. Most live without regular power supply and water piped to their shacks a makeshift home where large families find a roof.
Yet the massive pilfering of the oil resources continues year after year. 90% of Nigeria's economy is based on oil exports. Yet it is abundant in Iron, Ore, Gold, Gems, of all sorts, rubber, and many other yet to be explored natural resources.
The country's infrastructures are still very poor, a large but very badly maintained road network, is filled with pot holes quilometres never ending, and in many states out of control erosion have actually destroyed a few built roads. Lack of regular power supply makes large cities be in total darkness, encouraging the increasing crime trend, not to talk about massive disconfort especially during the hot weather, or the dry season, when temperatures at night in many places can be 32 Celcius, with 90% humidity level. It is then, absolutely no wander that Nigeria is the biggest market in the world for generator sales. And even though it exports closely to 2.3 million barrels a day, it has to import most of it's fuel, because out of all it's four refineries, only one is operational.
And from government to government, president to president, this has been pretty much the modi operandi for the last 25 years or so.
No wander, those who are still struggling to eat at least one meal a day, will not celebrate independence day today, 1st of October 2012, The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, at 52 years of existence!
