The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has congratulated the people of Nigeria on their 63rd Independence Day. However, the organization has called for concerted citizen efforts to fix Nigeria, which has been beset by numerous adversities and hardships caused by the nation’s dysfunctional and rudderless leadership since the advent of the current democratic regime in 1999.
Despite the challenges, the unwavering and abiding faith of the ordinary Nigerian is demonstrated by the fact that the belief in the unity and manifest destiny of the country is still apparent in the interactions of millions of Nigerians of various ethnic nationalities. The credit for the sacrifices that have resulted in the continued existence of the country must go to the average man and woman in this country.
CHRICED notes the fun fare with which those in government circles are celebrating. However, amidst the excruciating poverty in the land, the economic challenges, and the wave of insecurity across the country, there are not many reasons to celebrate beyond platitudes and slogans being bandied by those benefiting from the unfortunate prostrate position of Nigeria, economically and politically.
Since the return to civil rule in 1999, more public resources have been spent on celebrating serial underachievement and failures. CHRICED urges Nigerians who are affected by the misrule in the country to prepare for the struggles ahead. One such opportunity presents itself when the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) along with affiliates across Nigeria embark on an indefinite strike on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
While many have argued that a strike is not necessary at this time, the reality is that the current regime continues to suffocate the people of this country with a barrage of unending harsh policies. CHRICED therefore urges Nigerians to give the ruling elite an Independence Day gift in the form of massive protests to tell their own story as citizens who have continued to endure the pains and agonies of bad governance at all levels.
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