Nigeria has not failed but is not developing – Lawmaker

The youth should be helped to realise their potential.

A federal lawmaker has stated that the legislature has a huge role to play in ensuring that a conducive atmosphere is created to enable the youth realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the development of the country. He also said he believes that though Nigeria has not failed, it is not developing.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin, said these while speaking at a lecture on Tuesday in commemoration of the 2013 International Youth Day in Abuja.

“The way to fulfill these roles is by being a genuine role model and source of inspiration and hope to the youth; providing revolutionary bills that will save our educational system from total ruin; seek ways of ensuring that our youth stay healthy at all times; promote agriculture; encourage the youth to take advantage of the current reform in the sector; create empowerment programs and; ensure free and fair election,” he said.

According to Mr. Jibrin, Nigerians are divided into three categories based on how they view the fate of the country: those that believe that Nigeria is a failed state, those that believe Nigeria is a success and those that believe that Nigeria is in the process of development.

“I do not agree with any of them because I believe Nigeria is not a failed state; Nigeria has not collapsed. Yes, Nigeria has major challenges in the political, economic and social sector which threaten our sovereignty as a nation. The fact that we have not been able to arrive at a solution does not translate to being a failed state,” he said.

“However, I do not agree that Nigeria is a success because it is yet to utilize her amazing potentials to the fullest. And for those who believe Nigeria is in a process of development, this is at conflict with my perception because we have not taken appropriate steps that will lead to development. We can only begin to talk of development when leaders begin to rise above self and other private interest, demonstrate integrity and lead the people by force of example. I prefer to say Nigeria is in a process of transition,” he stated.