Nigeria At 66: No True Independence In Fear — Northern Christian Elders

ABUJA — The Northern States Christian Elders Forum, NOSCEF, has said Nigeria cannot claim true independence while citizens remain afraid to travel, farmers cannot safely access their fields and families continue to live under the threat of violence.

The forum, in a statement by its Chairman, Elder Sunday Oibe, said the 66th Independence Anniversary should go beyond ceremonies and rhetoric to address insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and divisions confronting the country.

NOSCEF said Nigeria was endowed with enormous human and natural resources but had yet to translate those advantages into decent living conditions for millions of citizens.

“A country cannot truly celebrate independence when citizens are afraid to travel on its roads, farmers are unable to cultivate their land safely, communities are displaced and families live with the fear of losing loved ones,” the forum said.

The elders identified insecurity, ethnic and religious divisions, mutual suspicion and political mobilisation along sectional lines as factors undermining national cohesion.

They urged the government to make the protection of lives and property a foremost responsibility.

“No nation can make meaningful progress when its citizens increasingly see one another as enemies rather than fellow citizens,” NOSCEF said.

On the economy, the forum acknowledged improvements in some macroeconomic indicators but said the real test of progress was whether ordinary Nigerians could afford food, transportation, rent, school fees, healthcare and electricity.

It called for stronger measures to protect poor and vulnerable Nigerians, while urging government to prioritise job creation, entrepreneurship, technical education, industrialisation and skills development.

“We cannot build a prosperous nation while our young people increasingly believe that their only realistic future lies outside Nigeria,” the forum said.

NOSCEF also called for greater investment in healthcare and education, saying budgetary allocations and policy announcements should translate into accessible, affordable and quality services.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the elders urged political parties, candidates and voters to reject ethnic and religious mobilisation and focus campaigns on security, jobs, education, healthcare, accountable leadership and national unity.

“The coming elections must not become another occasion for Nigerians to be divided along ethnic, religious or regional lines,” the forum said.

NOSCEF called for national renewal anchored on justice, equity, security, accountability, responsible leadership and reconciliation, urging Nigerians not to lose hope despite the country’s challenges.

“Our Independence Anniversary should remind us that Nigeria belongs to all of us. No region, ethnic group, religious community or political party owns Nigeria,” the forum said.

SOURCE: VANGUARD