By Michael Ovat -Awka
A chieftain and the immediate past Deputy National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Demian Okeke-Ogene, has reacted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, saying Nigeria still in nursery school.
He lamented that the reformation and prosperous policies the President bouyantly mentioned during his speech are yet to be seen on ground by Nigerians
Okeke-Ogene who was reacting while speaking with Journalists at his office in Awka on Thursday, October 1st, 2026, noted that the situation is worst than at the time of independent in 1960.
According to him, it is arguably for the President to said his administrative reforms are moving the country to prosperity when Nigerians are presently buying fuel at the cost of #1400 per litre.
“I witnessed when fuel was sold for 20k in this country.
“In 1964, I parcipated as a pupil in the first Independence anniversary of this country and we were given plastic cups and Nigerian flag at the rural areas, that was very symbolic and things were moving on well until the civil war broke out, and after the war, we were traveling with Nigerian Airways. We were traveling happily through rainway from Port Hart court to Madugari. Where are there amenities today?
“So, when we said we are reforming and we are not seeing them on the ground, it is painful.
“Nigeria turns out more than 2 million graduates every year without guarantee of 1000 jobs for the two million.
“Those graduates driving okada and kekenappap, can they ever train their children with the current high cost of University education in Nigeria? We are going down and not going up.
“Those who stole our money, they will tell them that, if you join our party, your sins will be forgiven. We are not longer the giant of Africa. Nigeria no longer go to peace mission in other Africa countries.
“There’s terrible security risk in the country.
“Terrorist are mounting their flags in different local government areas in the North down to the South West while in the South east ceremonies are being forcefully cancelled by unknown gunmen.
Nigerians are been subjected to double scrutiny while on international trip because of bad leadership. We are still very much in trouble. It is painful.
“At 66, I can tell you, Nigeria is still in nursery school.
“The managers of this country’s economy has question to answer to the new generation.
“Therefore, as a true believer of one Nigeria, I urged our political leaders to have a change of mind to restore the lost dignity of Nigeria, Okeke-Ogene concluded.
