By Sunday Oyinloye
As Nigeria marks 64th Independence Anniversary under harsh economy, the Labour Party (LP) has called for bold reforms that would address issues of poverty, economic stagnation, corruption, and other challenges that are causing setbacks for the country.
The party says though Nigeria’s 64th year of independence is a moment that calls for gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose, “it is vital that we face the stark realities confronting us”.
In a statement marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, the Chairman, Labour Party Caretaker Committee, Dr. Nenadi Usman stressed that the country is richly endowed with natural, human, and material resources which unfortunately are not reflecting in the quality of life of Nigerians.
Her words: “Nigeria has been richly endowed with natural, human, and material resources, yet our progress has been hindered by years of stagnation and setbacks.
“The statistics paint a troubling picture: nearly half of our population lives below the poverty line, and over 20 million children are currently out of school. Corruption continues to cripple our economy, the integrity of our politics and elections raise significant concern.
“Despite some economic growth, poverty remains widespread and inequality persists. The transformation of our economy has not yielded the productivity gains we hoped for.
“Governance failures and rampant corruption remain serious obstacles, as Nigeria continues to rank poorly on indices measuring corruption and the rule of law”
As a way forward, Dr. Usman said Nigeria needs policies that promote macroeconomic stability, stimulate private sector growth, and expand social safety nets for the most vulnerable adding “we must foster unity across tribal and religious lines to build a new and productive Nigeria, one that prioritizes the collective well-being of all its citizens”
The Labour Party Chairman calls for a citizen-centric approach to governance stressing that focus must shift to improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, as well as ensuring free and fair elections.
Dr. Usman enjoined all stakeholders to take meaningful steps toward a better future for Nigeria.
“This is a time for collective action, courageous leadership, and a shared commitment to progress” she said
