By Ovat Abeng
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 worse than at the time of independence in 1960.
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According to him, it is arguably for the President to say his administration’s reforms are moving the country to prosperity when Nigerians are presently buying fuel at the cost of N1400 per litre.
“I witnessed when fuel was sold for 20k in this country.
“In 1964, I participated 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 the railway from Port Hartcourt to Maiduguri. Where are the 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 keke Napep, 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 no longer the giant of Africa. Nigeria no longer goes to peace missions in other African countries.
“There’s a terrible security risk in the country.
“Terrorists 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 being subjected to double scrutiny while on international trips 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 have questions 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.
