SHE WEARS A GLOOMY FACE

I have had cause to reflect as Nigeria clocks 59. The foremost question that has taken hold of my mind is: where are we as a country?

There are grim indications that we have failed to realize that we make up the most resilient people in the world, especially because those who mount the Nation's public offices seem completely blind to the light, hence their frail attempts to beam it on the stage where growth resides.

Nigeria is one of the richest countries in Africa with the potential to scale to heights imagined, but amidst the most glaring issues of insecurity, accountability and an unfair judicial system. It is as though we are moving everywhere the wind blows.

The darkened corners that hold terrifying truths have remained unlighted, and as a result the Nigerian people are living in the shadow of uncertainty. I am loot to think that we cannot wriggle out of the hangman’s noose that we have managed to wrap about our necks, but it will take a serious commitment policy to do so.

As a Nigerian, I am the proudest person on earth. It is an identity that I will wear without apology; however, I must admit that the inaction of a few have become actions in themselves.

Today we hear of public officers, who have become laughing stock in foreign countries. Nigerians in these countries have decided to boo and jeer, for a good cause. In the national dailies, there are snippets and rumors of a revolution. People are not necessarily deaf to the need for a strategic ideological revolution, what they fear is, being hunted and scared (terrorized) for daring.

At 59, our dependency on importation scares me. I believe a lot of people think this too. We have the capacity to grow, manufacture, refine and deploy our own food, products, fuel and electricity and new technology, but mismanagement appears to be more appealing.

I have no doubt that this is enough reason to adopt a new approach. So my question remains: where are we as a country

Terna Ortese

02/10/2019