Amaechi
| credits: File copy
| credits: File copy
RIVERS State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday described Nigeria as a country drifting towards “a dangerous waterfall.”
Amaechi declared that the celebration of
Nigeria’s centenary was unnecessary because of the killings of students
and other innocent Nigerians by members of the Boko Haram sect.
The governor, who spoke while addressing
members of the state House of Assembly on the state of the nation,
queried the rationale behind such celebration when Nigerians were living
in fear of hired assassins and armed robbers.
Amaechi observed that Abuja residents,
who were supposed to be the chief hosts at the centenary celebration,
were at various petrol stations struggling to buy fuel.
He criticised the Federal Government for
giving Nigerians a false impression about the country’s economy and
added that the citizens could feel the tremor of Nigeria’s wobbling
economy.
Amaechi pointed out that Nigerians
appeared to have lost the appetite to celebrate anything, even as he
queried the legacy that would be left behind for the next generation.
He said, “What do our people feel and see
when they get out of their houses in the morning? Sadly as leaders, we
must admit the truth, which stares us in the face. It is the fact that
our country is drifting perceptibly into a dangerous waterfall.
“Even in Abuja, most Nigerians who
ordinarily would have been the chief celebrants (chief hosts) went about
their daily chores while the others struggled at petrol stations trying
to fill their tanks almost completely oblivious of the trappings of
what should have been a grand announcement of our coming of age.
“Gradually but noticeably, Nigerians
appear to have lost the appetite to celebrate anything. Embedded in our
newfound affinity for low key celebration and an infinite state of sober
reflection is the true state of the nation.
“Can we really celebrate when our
children are being slaughtered while at school? Can we really celebrate
when our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are being slaughtered
like chickens?
“Can we really celebrate when our fellow
citizens live in constant and growing fear of kidnappers, hired
assassins and armed robbers? Can we really celebrate when those
constitutionally empowered to protect us turn their fury on us?
“In these questions lie the state of the
nation. Where is the country headed? Where will the country be in
another 100 years? What legacy are we leaving behind for our children?”
Explaining that no economic revolution
could be achieved on candlelights or power generating sets, Amaechi said
the current economic system of the country was breeding inequality.
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