By now, children who grew up in the late 1980s and early 1990s will be tired waiting for the return of a moment of comfort and better life which, according to their parents, existed once.
But, will Nigeria ever experience better life again? Olusola Akinyemi answers this question in his latest book: ‘The Rebirth-A vision for Nigeria,” that the country can get back on its foot again.
The introduction of the 89-page book, mirrors how negative value system, corruption, bad governance, misappropriation of public funds, among other vices, have combined to truncate the several attempts at development - from Vision 2010, to the realisation of yet to come Vision 20:2020, and even lately 2025.
Notwithstanding the impediments, the author through the book spurs the readers on how to project into Nigeria’s future and ways to achieve viable development across board.
The author moves ahead in the eight chapters with issues and solutions to the national discussion.
Probing the past in order to get to where the country is at present, the author delves into the unification of Nigeria. And very obvious in Nigeria’s history, according to him, is the British colonisation experience that started with the emergence of Royal Niger Company, a trading company, UAC, among others, that had far reaching consequences for the regions they traded in then.
Fredrick Lord Lugard’s effort at the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates into one country in 1914, and the unification of Nigerians despite their political, cultural, religious and tribal difference, were given the required emphasis.
Citing example with the Gandhi story, he clears the air on how to achieve a true national integration. Upholding a working National Value System because the state of the nation today is partly to the fact that Nigerians have lost touch of the value system. To make progress as a people, the author notes that we need to identify some of the vices that have brought us to where we are today.
The rationale behind the rebirth is the fact that attempts to move the nation forward with a faulty value system have failed in the past.
Paramount to the rebirth is true economic prosperity as independence remains incomplete unless and until it comprises of political, social and economic independence.
Going by Nigeria’s gross domestic product estimated at $273.042 and per capita income of $1.657.292, according to International Monetary Fund, the figures are relatively on the good side, but the author argues that that does not translate to the economic realities in the nation.
The Nigeria that will be embraced by all should be one that empowers many of the 60-70 percent of its population living below the poverty line.
In the present growing insecurity in the country, the author thinks the solution to security challenge is not state police but equipping and addressing the frustration of the Nigerian Police in carrying out their duties.
National database of all citizens and visitors and investment security surveillance equipment and trainings will aid security across the country.
The health of the people has been neglected for long and part of the rebirth is ensuring and sustaining an efficient healthcare system. This will improve productivity and create wealth. But tourism and the culture sector, according to him, should be given the required attention because they support green economy, create jobs, develop skills and encourage peace.
He, however, called on non-governmental organisations in the country to support and partner in development efforts across the country by becoming more professional and efficient.
On a final note, the content of the book is geared towards instilling the spirit and values necessary for the development of the country in every Nigerian.
Title: The Rebirth-A vision for Nigeria
Author: Olusola Akinyemi
Publisher: Bookvine
Page: 89
Reviewer: Obinna Emelike
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