By Adisa Adeleye
FRIDAY October 1 2010 was a special day for Nigeria and its patient and understanding people.

This day marks the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British colonialism and imperialism.

There is no doubt that the colossal amount of N6 billion earmarked for the celebration would be justified if we remember that Nigeria remains united country despite its many serious political problems.

Nigeria, a strong and united country has over the years contributed to the political stability of some West African countries, which were drawn into fratricidal conflicts.

Our blessed country sacrificed money and the blood of its youths to ensure that other African countries remain politically and economically stable.

The Nigerian Army and Police have been performing credibly in many parts of the world on Peace missions.

Having noted these spectacular achievements, it has become an academic exercise to ask whether our country has achieved internal peace and political stability.

The intention here is not to waste time on fruitless debates on the country’s achievements over the last fifty years of freedom from British rule but to emphasize the reality that the political and economic stability falls far short of expectations of many Nigerians and their admirers in Africa , Europe and America .

Over the last 50 years Britain, our colonial master has advanced tremendously in areas of science, technology and welfare to the extent that the gap of 50 years from 1960 has widened to an unbridgeable gap of about two hundred years.

Britain is politically stable although it has devolved power to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Majority of the British accept the parliamentary system of government, which evolved many centuries ago.

There is a harmonious separation of power and the rights and liberty of the individual is recognised and respected.

Power is steady and public services like rail, road and air transportation is continuously improving. The nation also runs a comprehensive social insurance policy such that no Briton suffers neglect in terms of health and poverty owing to unemployment.

In the last fifty years since its disengagement from Nigeria, Britain has become more prosperous and technologically advanced. The British people and their visionary leaders are continually mastering their environment after disengaging from their colonies giving lie to the concept that Britain’s prosperity was based on the exploitation of her colonies.

The British example of continuous progress should be a reference point from which we should have learnt as a nation. If Britain has moved forward and we have remained static, it is either that Britain is a bad teacher or Nigeria, a very poor student.

However, in the wild excitement of the 50th anniversary celebrations, there should be a moment of sober reflection on how Nigeria , as nation has become politically amiss and painfully remiss since attaining independence.

Many countries in Africa and South East Asia that obtained independence around the same time we did have left us far behind.

The relevant question today is “Can Nigeria be great?”
The answer to that is “yes” if the present crop of leaders is sincere, patriotic and willing to work towards the progress of the country. The political and economic issues, which continue to plague our nation, have to be addressed and resolved.

There should be wide ranging debates and referendums on important political matters based on our experiences over the last fifty years. Like the US, we all agree on the federal structure for the country because of the diverse ethnic groups that make up the country.

However, problems arise from its operation of the federal structure with a very strong centre, which is over bearing and operates like a central, unitary dictatorship controlling power, police and mining rights throughout the country.

The federal government controls the oil resources and distributes monthly allocations to states.

Also in view of experience, “should Nigeria continue to create more mushroom states or compress the existing ones into more viable zones”?

In terms of governance, is the parliamentary system, which is speedier in decision- making and cheaper to run more effective than the American system, which is slow, less flexible and more costly?

The nation is at present under the grip of 2011 elections, which are expected to be free and fair. How could the elections be free and fair when all local councils in a state appear to be under the firm control of a ruling party of the state?

The Recommendations of the Uwais committee on Independent candidates and proportional representation have been dropped by the legislature for purely political reasons.

Theses are issues that should be resolved by a referendum in view of the negative reaction of states controlled by the ruling parties.

Elections, which are, appear free but not fair will represent potential dangers.
I have no doubt that Nigeria could be a great nation  if the country could tackle as a nation the numerous problems of Infrastructure to ensure adequate power supply, good road networks, improved communication, transportation systems, education and social services.

The capital and sacrifice required to achieve this end are more than what a single party or federal government alone can provide. We need a genuine national government to reverse the backward trend. We need to move forward as one nation.