NIGERIA @ 60: ‘We are not where we ought to be’ – Governor Sani Bello

As Nigeria attains 60 years of independence, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has decried the persistent level of insecurity and its attendant consequences on the growth and development in the country.

Governor Bello told journalists in Minna, that the country’s economy as well as the sociopolitical lives of the people would continue to dwindle unless a holistic approach was found to the security challenges.

“Security is key, and without it, the country will be struggling and it quest for sustainable development will be a mirage. We have tried as much as we can to support the security agencies, but there are allegations that the security apparatus is being compromised, which is highly regrettable.”

He said the country had the capacity, potential and wherewithal to be a producer rather than a consumer nation, stressing that the nation’s leadership must put its priorities right and build the courage to address all developmental challenges setting the nation back.
The governor described as unfortunate how the country imports virtually everything, adding that it was regrettable to see an oil-producing nation like Nigeria importing fuel while allowing its infrastructure to irresponsibly decay.
“The importation of those things we can produce has led us to sustaining the industries abroad, and that is why we have found ourselves in this present situation.”
“I hope, at 60, we are able to tell ourselves the bitter truth. We all know what is right and wrong, but we don’t have the courage to confront it. We must open a new chapter towards revitalising and diversifying our economy and ensure that we invest in the future for our younger generation by resuscitating our moribund, dead industries.”
Governor Bello, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for retracing the development trajectory of the nation and executing policies and programmes that would in the long run energise and revitalise the country’s ailing economy.