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Written by Luminous Giannamike
ABUJA – The Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has lamented that Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebrations have been overshadowed by rampant corruption and poverty.
Nigeria’s Independence Day, observed on October 1, was intended to celebrate the country’s progress since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
However, in a statement, CHRICED Executive Director Ibrahim Zikirullah highlighted the persistent challenges of corruption and poverty that are hampering Nigeria’s development.
Mr. Jekylla stressed that corruption permeates all levels of government, undermining public trust and hindering effective governance.
He noted that Nigeria currently ranks 154th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
He said the country’s poverty rate was also rapidly increasing, with more than 90 million Nigerians living below the poverty line.
CHRICED further pointed out that poverty exacerbates social problems such as unemployment, inequality and insecurity.
The group called on the federal government to take concrete steps to tackle corruption and poverty, including strengthening anti-corruption institutions, increasing transparency and implementing policies to reduce economic inequality.
“Ordinary Nigerians have paid and continue to pay the ultimate price in death and suffering caused by our country’s dysfunctional and totally rudderless leadership,” Jikirulla said. For the survival of what is left of the country, the achievements of ordinary men, women and young people in this country must always be recognized.
“Rather than experiencing vibrant streets and celebratory rallies, we are faced with the harsh reality of deep-seated problems of misgovernance, corruption, embezzlement, unemployment, widespread poverty, insecurity, and electoral fraud. The vision of a prosperous and secure Nigeria has become a distant dream, overshadowed by harsh realities that stand in stark contrast to the principles of true independence.
“The health of our country has been severely undermined by politicians who put their personal interests ahead of the well-being of the people, perpetuating a culture of corruption that pervades everything from our electoral system to our judiciary. It puts our collective potential at risk and highlights the need for urgent action to restore integrity and accountability in governance.
“This Independence Day, we should hold our leaders accountable to their promises and demand concrete changes that improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Now is the time to fight for our freedoms. It is time to reflect on the sacrifices they made and honor their legacy by striving for a nation where all individuals can thrive. We must direct our collective resolve to build a future where we can feel joy.”
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