Unemployment has continued to drag us backwards even as we try to move forward. It has driven anti-social vices, fueled socio-economic and political crises, bred bitterness, greed, mistrust and enmity between the rich and the poor, the government and the governed.
Consequent upon winning political independence in Nigeria, the political philosophy of administration literally changed. This was so because the new state of Nigeria, like its contemporary in Africa was confronted with the problems of development. These political leaders who took over from the colonial masters found out that Nigeria, which they inherited, lacked necessary infrastructures or socio-economic amenities.
In Nigeria, the reality of the situation is down on the emergent leadership. The need to redirect and re-focus post-colonial administration became necessary; therefore, there was a shift in the philosophy of administration from that of maintaining law and order to exploitation of primary products exported to lubricated the economy of Britain, “to that of making the country strong, developing a burning sense of patriotism and promoting a comprehensive programme of social, economic and industrial development with central aim of supplementing political independence or economic interdependence with other countries on the basis of equity and mutual respect.
These lofty ideas were supposed to be our post colonial political philosophy, or the goal point of our leadership thrust. It was hoped that through the mobilization of our rich human and natural resources, the standard of life of the living population to Nigeria will change for the better.
The philosophical orientation of post colonial administration or put simply, of developing states like us, should shift completely from colonial mentality of exploitation and accumulation of wealth, to industrialization, provision of social amenities such as roads, water, electricity, decent housing, affordable health facility, affordable and qualitative education, to say the least, the living standard of Nigerians should change from what was obtainable during the colonial era.
It should be known that the colonial public administration or government was essentially based on the philosophy of maintaining law and order, to enable them engage peacefully in the production and exportation of raw materials. There was no deliberate policy or progamme to develop Nigeria industrially or to provide the needed social and economic infrastructures, except when it enhanced the exploitation and exportation of primary products.
Therefore, it follows that the construction of rail ways served the purpose of enhancing the exportation and evacuation of raw materials from the hinterland. The railways linked only those towns known for the production of one cash crop or the other. For instance, the rail passed through Port Harcourt to Enugu for the exploitation and bulk movement of palm products, to Kano for cotton and groundnuts and to Ibadan for cocoa and to the sea through Lagos port to Britain.
Again, the provision of social amenities under the colonial government to restricted to certain areas. The provision of constant electricity, pipe born water, good roads, decent housing was found within the European quarters unknown as the GRAs. The lack of industrialization and non-provision of social amenities beyond the GRAs buttresses the fact that this was a deliberate policy of the crown especially when viewed of against the back ground that it was the metropolises carried out by their overseas administration. In fact, without any fear of contradiction or ill will, where social amenities like schools and hospitals were established, it was largely built by missionary organization or grounds.
These are the imperatives for development administration in Nigeria. These are the realities why Nigerian politicians should our political independence as a divine intervention to salvage us from colossal damnation. But alas, the reverse seems to be the case especially in this part of the country. Our political independence opened the flood gate for bread and butter seeking politicians to take over. Most of our leaders have stepped into the shoes worn by the colonial masters.
When the colonial masters were here, our nationalists (peace to their ashes) were complaining. Nigerians grumbled, constitutional conferences were held in and outside the country. Prayers were held, and sensitize the Nigeria society on the need to reject colonialism, colonialism breeds apathy. It is a crime against humanity. Colonialism is another phase of slavery. Our forefathers reasoned that by the time we were old enough to governor ourselves. To make our laws, execute the laws and to punish those who offend or break the laws. We condemned their exploitation of our abundant human and natural resources. We condemned their system of restricting social amenities and economic development to certain areas and for recycling our natural endowment around a certain cycle. But today, they are no more. The colonial masters are no more; we are the government of our land. Today, we have unshakable political independence. Nigeria, I hail thee!
But let’s stop and thinks, 64 years after political independence, we are still groping in the dark parading ourselves as the giant of Africa. 64 years of political independence with epileptic power supply even with rich human and natural resources; with refineries everywhere, with privatized power sectors; but, the government still have ready-made, technical and convincing reasons why we are yet to enjoy constant electric supply.
The government, at all levels, has been hijacked by men with stiff nakedness and callous insensitivity. Insensitive and indifferent; yet, they have taken over, the political space. Politics in Nigeria is a playground for the strong, an arena for the rich and a graveyard for the weak. Most Nigerian leaders are completely a replica of the colonial government.
With similar political philosophy and ideology, the drama is the same but the actors are different. The location, the setting and the customers are basically the same thing the colonial masters used. With lies and the falsehood, they exploit and deceive the public. They tell them what they like to hear.
Though government has tried in the area of infrastructural development, the pace is too slow. They have tried to secure lives and property but those in government are more secured than the governed.
Nigeria has all it takes to provide steady power and to raise the living standard of majority of its citizens but the greed of our leaders and extravagance will not let it be. How can we have that when our politicians swim in the bowl of pink gin and lavish our resources? A trip to popular hotels in Uyo, night clubs and other recreational centers will convince anybody that economic development will remain a far cry for a long time.
It is no more news that Nigerian politicians are the most extravagant in Africa. They spend so much money to secure comfort and security while the electorates are continually left in the dungeon only to be used during elections and dumped thereafter.
With so much hunger in the land, unemployment has continued to rise steadily. The governments come up with different policies and projects toward fighting this menace only to dance out of light. Unemployment will continue to grow until corruption is sincerely attacked.
It is unfortunate that, by estimation and calculation, both the federal, state and local government are not sincere about creating jobs for the teeming youths. During the Babangida regime, the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was introduced to boost our economy and accelerate economic reliance but the policy missed its target because of corruption.
The Obasanjo’s administration introduced or rather kick started the privatization policy with the aim of reviving the decaying social amenities and public utilities. However, the policy, till this moment, appears like jumping from fry pan to fire. From NEPA to PHCN and PHED, still power supply is epileptic. The only sector that has recorded reasonable improvement is the telecommunication.
The present government promised to industrialized the country and create jobs for the teeming youths, but till this moment (1 stand to be corrected) no sincere effort has been made to reduce unemployment. The boogies have continued to oppress and suppress the proletariat, so as to weaken them. I mean, the rich politicians have deliberately kept the electorates poor so that they will be readily available for them.
In less than three months, a few people will be selected in the name of delegates to choose the destiny of the people for the next 4 to 8 years. Again, the soapbox orators, the power seekers will promise to create jobs and reduce unemployment if voted into office.
To me, I see no difference between the left and right ear of the same horse. So as we approach the decision making time, stakeholders should know that the present government has not been able to reduced unemployment.
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