Nigeria@65: We’ve defied odds to make progress–Onuigbo

A frontline politician, Chief Sam Onuigbo, says in spite of its challenges Nigeria has made tremendous progress since it gained independence from Britain in 1960.

Nigeria will hold its 65th independence anniversary on Wednesday.

Speaking with Our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday, Onuigbo said one of the greatest achievements was that the country had remained united in the face of events that threatened its existence.

Some of the events, according to the former House of Representatives member were the civil war and the post June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Onuigbo represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives where he sponsored the Climate Change Bill which was eventually signed into an Act by late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We have remained one indivisible nation for these past 65 years despite the challenges such as the civil war and June 12, among others that threatened the unity of this country.

“Like any other countries of the world the economic position of Nigeria is expected to be better than where we are.

“We want general happiness for a well-educated youthful nation that desires to remain productive and competitive.

“However, we have achieved, significantly, some level of prosperity as a nation but we can do more,” Onuigbo told our correspondent.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to reposition the country for greater heights with a target of becoming a member of G-20 in no distant time.

“President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is has assured us that he is working to achieve those ideals whether in education, security or any other sector.

“Home and abroad Nigeria has produced massive manpower in different fields. Today, we have even lost country of the number of universities.
“At independence one had one university, the University of Nigeria Nsukka and University College Ibadan before it became a full-fledged university in 1962,” he said.

On the economic front, Onuigbo said Tinubu reforms had ensure a more stable banking system, which according to him, has eased banking transactions.

He further said that prior to independence Nigeria had few major cities such as Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu and Kaduna, adding that presently there were many cities booming with economic and social activities nationwide.