—Arogbofa,Tunji-Abayomi, Aluko, Duyile

By Jubril Bada, Bukola Olamona & David Afolabi

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Eminent personalities have said it is not all doom and gloom for the country, saying Nigeria would rise again.

According to them, hope is not lost for the country to be great again, even as they called on all Nigerians to keep hope alive.

Nigeria gained her independence on October 1,1960, from Britain.

Although there is a general feeling of despondency, dissatisfaction and disappointment among Nigerians as the country commemorates its 64th Independence Day on October 1, eminent personalities who spoke in separate interviews with The Hope believed that with all hands on deck the country would surmount its numerous challenges.

Those who spoke included, a constitutional lawyer and rights activist, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, an elderstatesman and Ondo State Chairman of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Korede Duyile, elder statesmen, Bashorun Sehinde  Arogbofa and Chief Femi Aluko, as well as the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro.

Dr Abayomi revealed the feelings of numerous Nigerians who perceive a lack of trust from the nation’s leaders.

However, considering the turbulent background of the country, Tunji Abayomi said, at 64, “we have to keep hope alive so as not to be entirely defeated by frustration.”

The rights activist listed the evil of corruption, disorder, poor and inefficient leadership as bane of the country’s development 64 years after her independence.

 Tunji Abayomi who went down the memory lane, said the political, military, public service constituencies have brought terrible failure on the citizens, destroyed the future of Nigeria and caused unwarranted pains, stress and anxiety among the populace, instead of helping the people.

He encouraged Nigerians to cling on to optimism despite this dire prognosis by citing the country’s resiliency and potential for greatness, saying, “We still have to find hope and the capacity of the people of this nation who continue to expose great endowment and blessings of time.”

He noted that although Nigerians can reflect on the past, react against the evil of corruption, disorder, poor and inefficient leadership, they should not give up but work harder and be more determined for a better Nigeria.

Also, Chief Duyile, expressed the need for Nigeria to return to the political structure it had at the time of independence in 1960.

According to him, this would help in improving the country’s economy and allow for better competition among states or regions.

The elder stateman noted that political restructuring, coupled with greater independence for the National Assembly, would position Nigeria to reclaim its economic standing globally.

He emphasized that Nigeria should take charge of its economy, leveraging its abundant human and material resources, rather than allowing Bretton Woods institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to dictate its economic direction Duyile highlighted that the Bretton Woods system was designed to support the development of Western economies, not Africa’s. As long as Nigeria adheres to these external influences, he argued, it would remain hindered in achieving true economic independence.

While acknowledging the efforts of past leaders in keeping the country united for over six decades, he urged the government to focus on policies that prioritize national interests and development.

On his part, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa advised the Federal Government to look into the 2014 confab report and take drastic steps towards making Nigeria great.

“Like California is the richest state in the USA because it has oil, why shouldn’t the states with oil here be the richest,” he said.

The elder stateman also said power should be devolved to states to allow them control the natural resources on their land and give some percentage to the central which he said will bring about healthy rivalry between the states.

Arogbofa emphasized the need to do more in terms of Agriculture, saying he knows they are trying but drastic effort needed to be done in that sector.

He added that most importantly, legislation should be based on part time, saying it should not be a first point of call but should be experienced based.

He called on President Bola Tinibu to look critically on his information sector, saying he has a lot to disseminate to the public about what his government is doing to make life better for the citizenry and be able to carry them along in governing them.

He called on the President to address the current economic challenges affecting the country in the interest of the masses.

“Let him come out often to talk to the people. He has to look inward at the areas where things can be done better.”

Also, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, Pa Femi Aluko called on