Nigerians joined the rest of the world on Saturday to welcome the New Year 2022.
It is no gainsaying that for many Nigerians, the struggle to see the end of 2021 was a very challenging experience.
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Apart from the COVID-19 pandemic which was carried over into 2021, Nigerians experienced many hurdles, especially the rising cost of living for the ordinary man and the debilitating insecurity which permeated the whole country.
From the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East to banditry in the North West as well as the activities of the elements of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in the South East and the numerous inter-ethnic and religious clashes, Nigeria witnessed so much bloodshed during the year.
However, it was not all gloomy as we also recorded some positive developments. It was the year we saw the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line as well as many roads projects. Nigeria was able to be a leading country in start-ups which promises to see more foreign investment in the sector.
There is also another glimmer of hope as Nigeria will soon join other countries in deploying the 5G platform which promises to provide more ease in communication.
On the diplomatic front, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman and African to be elected as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
As we welcome the New Year, Nigerians look forward with anticipation to what is in store for them. Certainly, there is apprehension that things may become tougher, with the envisaged increase in the price of petrol. Again, Nigerians are anxious to see the end of the bloodshed across the country as the activities of non-state actors seem not to be abetting.
Similarly, this year also promises to see more political activities as we move towards the 2023 general elections. Nigerians equally hope that this will not slow down efforts to address the numerous problems facing the country.
Also, the way our politicians take vying for office as a do-or-die affair, will surely cause more apprehension in the land.
President Muhammadu Buhari, in his New Year message, enjoined Nigerians to look at the future with hope assuring that his administration is doing everything possible to address the myriad of challenges facing the country.
He promised to redouble effort in the areas of security and the economy to secure a better life for Nigerians.
It is true that we have been facing challenges but one quality that is true of every Nigerian is our resilience. This is an attribute that saw the country through many challenges.
This is required the more as we move into the New Year carrying last year’s baggage. We believe it is time every one of us resolves to serve the country with all sincerity. There is no one that will come and do it for us.
As we move into 2022, Nigerians may need to read and reread the New Year message of Pope Francisco which emphasised the importance of family and forgiveness.
“A family is a place of support and not of gossip and slander of one another; it must be a place of welcome, not a place rejection. Shame to those who plant evil about others. We are a family and not enemies.
For this reason, the family must be a place of life not a place of death; a place of forgiveness and not a place of hell; a healing territory and not a disease; an internship of forgiveness and not guilt. Forgiveness brings joy where sorrow brought sadness; of healing where sorrow had caused disease,’’ the pontiff said.
Nigerians need to see themselves as members of one family and be quick in forgiving each other. We must realise that the rest of the world will not be waiting for us before it moves ahead. We cannot afford to continue to fight among ourselves while others are making inroads into new technology and innovation.
We also call on the political class to be more honest in steering the ship of the country. Much depends on the kind of leadership they give the country. If they could be sincere and provide true leadership, Nigeria will overcome most of the challenges it faces today.
We wish you a Happy 2022.
