As Nigeria celebrates its 62nd Independence anniversary, a cross-section of children has called on the leadership to address some salient issues in the country to make it a better place. They spoke with BETTY AMUKPO.
‘I want a leader that would protect the citizens of our great country’
As Nigeria turns 62, I personally have great expectations from our leaders and the president of our country. I want a leader that would be humble, honest and ready to protect the citizens of this our great country. Abraham was a great leader and his story can be found in Genesis 11:31. He was very humble and down to earth even with his brother Ur. Also Jacob, Abraham’s grandson was also a great leader (Gen: 25-35, 56-50). Other great leaders are Joseph, Solomon e.t.c. We need a leader that understands what the people are going through and has the fear of God in him. May God help us get such a leader through Christ our Lord, Amen
• Victoria Okefe
‘I pray for sensitive and God – fearing leaders in the upcoming elections’
Nigeria at 62, I expect the leaders to provide proper security, social amenities like free or affordable education, steady power supply, clean water supply, etc. I pray for sensitive and God – fearing leaders in the upcoming elections to make our country a peaceful and better place. I also expect them to provide proper infrastructure. Deuteronomy 28:13. I will keep praying my Rosary for my Country Nigeria.
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
‘I expect them to bear opposition in good faith’
A man of 62 years is a full grown man and in some cases a grandfather who has gone through full circle. So also is an establishment or an institute like my country Nigeria. In the light of the above, it is my expectations that our leaders in Nigeria at 62 should make policies that portray good governance vis-a-vis providing social amenities: good roads, good health facilities, quality education, employment opportunities etc. I expect the leaders to do what is right even if the people are against it (Genesis 16). I expect them to bear opposition in good fate (Genesis 37). I expect our leaders to stand for their people like Moses did (Exodus 3).
• Munachi Immanuella Okasi.
‘Pay our teachers, lecturers and all workers on time’
My expectations from our leaders at Nigeria’s 62nd Independence are as follows:
1. Security: I want our leaders, especially the president to provide well trained security personnel for the country so that our territories will be well protected from terrorist attacks and Boko Haram that are killing our people. Not only external protection, but also internal protection. Our forces should be well equipped with modern equipment.
2. Social amenities: Our leaders should provide us with good health care centre, hospital, good roads, pipe borne water, market and provide education for all school age people in the country.
3. Salaries: Pay our teachers, lecturers and all workers on time to avoid all types of industrial actions bearing in mind that education is key.
4. Infrastructural development: Our leaders should build and maintain factories, industries, refineries, companies, as these will make things easy and provide job opportunities for our graduates and all job seekers. This will also boost our economy.
• Chibuike Anyasor
‘I wish I will wake up on October 1, 2022 and hear the president announce free education, free food, free accommodation and job for all’
To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen. My expectation as Nigeria clocks 62 are to see
1. A good president who will care for his Nation
2. Good governor who will have the interest of the people at heart
3. Good chairman who will pilot the affair of the people around him.
I wish I will wake up on that day been October 1, 2022 and hear the president announce free education, free food, free accommodation and good job for all graduates. I wish to wake up and see Nigeria free from tribalism, Muslim Muslim ticket, Christian Christian ticket etc. I wish to wake up and see the rich man’s children socialising with children of the poor man. I want to wake up and a see a good president like Joseph in the Bible who did everything in a justified way. I want to wake up and see a selfless leader who will not embezzle our money; I want to see unity among all tribes. May God help us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
• Chima Anita
‘The Ministry responsible for road constructions should do its jobs’
My expectations from government include:
• To ensure tight security for the citizens.
• The Ministry responsible for road constructions should do its jobs. Most of our roads are death traps that need to be repaired.
• We are fed up with politicians’ empty promises.
They should provide jobs, social amenities, free and credible elections and making Nigeria a better place to live.
• Chibueze Mercy
‘Stop corruption of all forms so that our country will prosper’
From the Book of Exodus 18:21: “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens”. With Nigeria at 62 years of Independence, I expect our leaders to be God-fearing and to be able to do what God will be pleased with. To stop corruption of all forms so that our country will prosper.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘The leaders should provide free and fair election’
My expectation from our leaders for Nigeria at 62:
• Is to ensure tight security for the citizens.
• The leaders should provide employment for the citizens of the country.
• The leaders should provide free and fair elections. I encourage and expect all to go and vote.
The ministry of road should work harder because most of our roads are death trap that needs to be repaired.
• Victory Stephen
