Prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Julius Babogha has said that the 61st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria should be used as a moment of sober reflection by Nigerians.
Speaking with NewsNet Nigeria, Babogha opined that after 61years Nigeria is still wobbling as evident in infrastructural decay, worsening insecurity, a collapsed economy, endemic corruption, growing moral decadence, bad leadership amongst other areas that have been begging for answers.
Recalling the book “A dance in the forest” written in 1960 by Wole Soyinka, the Ijaw leader stressed that Nigerians should use this independence day for self-appraisal describing the nation’s independence as transmission from one colonialism to another form of colonialism.
He said, “From then till now, I cannot categorically say Nigeria is an independent nation instead it is a transmission from one colonialism to another form of colonialism which is neocolonialism.”
Babogha, who decried a situation in the country where few individuals and cabals are subjecting their own people to some form of slavery aligned with the call by some individuals and sections of the country for restructuring.
“What we are celebrating is another year of a new form of slavery. That is what we are celebrating, not independence.
“The engineers we are churning out yearly, what have they produced or invented. Technologically we have failed, economically we have failed, politically we are in a mess,” said Babogha.
He recommended a change of attitude from all Nigerians and the urgent need for the elites in the country to come together in a round table talk irrespective of political party to chart a way forward for the country.
Babogha also advocated for a total spiritual and moral reawakening of Nigerians noting that there is nothing wrong with the nation’s constitution but the people who need to be refined and reformed.
“The elites that are ruling today should purge themselves morally.
“There is nothing wrong with our constitution. It is the people that need to be refined and reformed.
“Let the elites come together and hold a proper conference and address the issues at stake.”
The Ijaw leader however said that Nigeria still has great prospects for economic rejuvenation and political rebirth for a progressive society.
“From any dark end, there is always a ray of light. There is still light in the tunnel for Nigeria to bounce back.”
