Our founding fathers did not negotiate that at 51, Nigeria would become the 14th failed state in the world. Neither did they agree that it would be among the nations with the least human development index, nor that it would still be crawling five decades after independence. Our founding fathers did not dream that their great grand children would be treated with contempt as a result of mismanagement of its abundant resources.

The former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), laments that 51 years after independence, Nigeria is yet to be a nation, citing sectional and selfish interest as major drawback. Akinjide,, in this no-holds-bared interview blames the northern leaders on the Boko Haram insurgency, among other issues.

AS Nigeria marks its 51st independence anniversary today, there have been various reactions from people, especially eminent Nigerians calling for peace and tranquility.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on August 5 inaugurated a council to look into public companies acquired but mismanaged by private investors.

Nigeria was ranked “the third fastest growing economy in the world after China and India by the (IMF) in 2009.” It further projects a growth of 9% in 2008 and 8.3% in 2009. The IMF further projects a 8% growth in the Nigerian economy in 2011.