Nigeria @ 61: Nothing To Celebrate, Hunger, Poverty Killing Us, Seun Kuti Laments

Nigeria Celebrities have taken to their social media page on Friday, to celebrate Nigerian’s 61st Anniversary.

While some said that there is nothing to celebrate in view of the high rate of poverty in the land, others are optimistic that things will get better.

For Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, he claims that Nigeria is near collapse as the high level of hunger, insecurity, unemployment, and corruption is ‘worrisome’.

He said, “It is fitting to bring you all warm solidarity greetings as we celebrate the 61st anniversary of our dear nation, even though there is nothing to celebrate, owing to the near-collapse in the state of our dear nation.

“With the worrisome level of hunger, insecurity, high rate of unemployment, and wanton looting, the celebration of today’s anniversary calls for a sober reflection and the need to re-organise ourselves to get involved in the democratic process with the view to set the nation on the road to recovery.”

“The decision to get Nigeria working from this moribund and mechanistic level is in our ‘thumbs’ and it is neither in the bombs nor bullets.

“The movement of the people has now given every Nigerian of voting age the political platform to chose credible leaders across the 36 States and 774 local government of the federation.”

The musician while giving some statistics, alleged that Nigeria had become the ‘poverty capital of the world’.

Kuti said, “In 1960, the poverty level was at 15 per cent but today, the poverty level is 50 per cent thereby making the Giant of Africa the poverty capital of the world. In Fela Anikulapo’s voice, ‘as time de go things just de bad, poor man de cry’. May the Legendary Abami Eda’s soul continue to rest in peace!

“The ongoing voter’s registration exercise is the starting point and all eligible Nigerians must get their voters card as the 2023 election has given us an ample opportunity as a people to collectively unite.”

For Joke Silva she questioned the future of the country stating, “Will it get better?”

The veteran actress who shared a photo of herself while celebrating independence, also maintained that she believes the country will be better because the past must never be better than the future.

Silva further maintained that she would not lose hope, calling other Nigerians to work individually to make the country better than it was in the past.

She wrote, “Will it get better? I believe so. Our past must never be better than our future.

“So we refuse to lose hope; Do what we can individually to make today better than yesterday. Happy Independence celebrations.”