NDG proffers solutions to Nigeria’s problem of underdevelopment

The Nigeria Dialogue Group, (NDG), an interdisciplinary membership, leading National Think Tank, has proffered solutions to Nigeria’s problems, describing  the nation’s  recurring problems of underdevelopment  as self inflicted but surmountable.

The group, in an Anniversary message shared with local and International media, lamented the stunted growth and development of the Nigerian nation and characterised this as being unworthy of a nation that had attained a  60 years of age.

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NGP is a principal research and dialogue group, concerned with nationality problems and commitment to adopting diverse strategies for finding solutions to established problems in the society.

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According to the group, Nigeria does not have reason for celebrating as it is exhibiting a high prevalence of indicators of a failed state.  The Group further reiterated its stand that since assumption of power in 2015, the present government had betrayed the high expectations of the people who voted as a response to its pledge to pursue and achieve a change of direction.

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“Rather than live up to its promise of CHANGE, the government recycled the same people and ideas that had led to the dismal performance of the previous administration,” it said.

It added, “Owing to its dismal performance, President Buhari’s administration had proved naysayers right, in that it had failed to provide productive and beneficial governance for the greatest numbers of the citizens, suffering high degree of poverty.  .

“Though it is an inescapable economic fact that the foreign income earning of Nigeria had depleted, from the Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan eras, wherein oil was sold at an average of $100 per barrel, the reality remains that there has been not much dividends to show for the incomes earned.

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“A government that rolled into power on the promise of the mantra of CHANGE had managed to change in the negative direction in many respects. The betrayal of the yearnings of the populace has been and is being betrayed by the non-performance of the Buhari Administration.

“The loud voices of the poor and downtrodden among the Nigerian populace appear not to matter, as their contributions are not sought nor valued in the process of making and implementing policies aimed at building the promised nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.”

The group said though Nigeria had achieved some visible  positive developments, such as could be seen in   super-opulent mansions in state capitals, the profusion of exotic cars  on barely motorable roads, a plethora of airports, even if poorly maintained, and the building of some infrastructures such as  rails, bridges, mobile telephone technology among others, in spite of these, “majority of Nigerians are still languishing in poverty  given the ever increasing  costs of food stuffs, high costs of utilities and fuel, coupled with the high insecurity across the nation.”

It said, “Corruption thrives, owing to several factors, such as nepotism, ethnicity, a lack of political and judicial will to hold the high and mighty accountable, Thus it seems that the law is for the poor and downtrodden. Those who are adequately connected and have access to political and financial power are often left off the hook.  ”

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To have real changes, the NDG said Nigerian leaders should resettle and restructure their governing ethos and working agenda to enable the country to achieve its full potential of a great nation.

It said it’s now time for the Peoples of Nigeria to have their voices heard and to demand commitment from those elected   to give the citizens their deserved welfare. “Social activism must be renewed and strengthened in the fight for equitable, fair and just government,” it added.