Nigeria missed the golden opportunity to fully and practically diversity her economy from oil and to lay a very extensive and sound industrial framework.
Imagine a former Nigerian leader once said at some point that Nigeria’s problem was having too much money and not knowing what to do with it. That government went on a spending spree doling out unsolicited money to even countries in Europe that were then far better off than Nigeria.
Now, the chicken has finally come home to roost and there will be no more cheap petrodollars flowing into the country.
The COVID-19 virus pandemic just exposed the very sorry and weak state of our health infrastructures. We had all the opportunities since independence when there was petrodollars to lay a solid all round infrastructural foundation and more so in the health sector but rather, we embarked on several white elephant projects some of which are still projects in the process for decades.
Coronavirus just exposed our nakedness in our monumental failings as a nation.
Undoubtedly, we have been sufficiently sensitised and embarrassed enough by the coronavirus outbreak. Hopefully, the post COVID-19 Nigeria era will be a more serious and progressive enterprise, allowing only the best not only in capability but also in integrity and moral content to lead us. The era will also keep charlatans, members of the AGIP club (ANY GOVT IN POWER),social and economic rogues and jokers at bay.
If that happens then Nigeria has the hope of not only leading Africa and the black race but will become a super power to be reckoned with.
Dr P J D Deshi
