From SULE ALIYU, Bauchi
NIGERIA�S Ambassador to Japan, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, has
lamented that despite the achievements recorded by the country in the last
44 years in different facets of life, the nation�s industries, aviation,
education, communication and other basic infrastructure are still in
shambles.
Alhaji Aliyu who is also Walin Katagum in an
exclusive interview he granted Daily Triumph in Bauchi yesterday
argued that when compared with other developing countries in Africa and
other parts of the world, Nigeria is far left behind in the areas of
security and many social services as well as in general transformation.
The diplomat argued that the only way out of these mess
was for the leaders to develop policies that could transform the
socio-economic and political fortunes of the country.
�No country can achieve greatness without careful
planning just as was the case with other developed nations around the
world�.
He cited example with Japan who, despite the devastating
effects of the 2nd World War, its successive leaders work assiduously
towards turning the country into one of the most developed countries in the
world.
The envoy explained that the truth of the matter was that
Nigeria is endowed with abundant human and material resources which
unfortunately had not been utilized to benefit the citizenry.
While blaming the military dictatorship for a lot of
wastages of Nigeria�s vast resources, Alhaji Aliyu observed that such
resources are also being wasted by all the three tiers of government under
the current political dispensation, a situation which he said, ordinary
Nigerian was not feeling the positive impact of the country�s huge resources
available.
The ambassador who regretted that most of the basic
infrastructure which had been developed over the years were allowed to rot
away, described the situation as most unfortunate.
�Looking at the situation on the ground one would confess
that things were better many years ago than they are today�, he added.
The Walin Katagum also faulted the high rate of
social vices in the country ranging from armed robbery, assassination,
ritual killings and other criminal offences in addition to ethno-religious
crisis, the Niger-Delta and labour crises.
He also expressed concern over the collapse of the
railway system and poor road network.
�While states and local government councils receive
billions of Naira through monthly allocations, there is nothing to show in
terms of developmental projects,� he further lamented.
He noted that unless the nation�s leadership becomes
committed, transparent, patriotic and incorruptible, no meaningful
development could be achieved.
He further explained that Nigeria was endowed with vast
resources more than Japan but because of the latter�s commitment and
hardwork it had become one of the most developed countries in the world.
�Japan is now the second largest economy in the world
despite its large population of over 130 million. However, Nigeria cannot
compare its development with Japan due to lack of commitment,� the Wali
concluded.
