By Onwa Ekor
The Clan Head of Kasuk Qua Clan II in Calabar Municipality, His Royal Highness, Ntoe (Dr.) Ededem Okon Ayito III, has said Nigeria ought to have fared better at 66.
Speaking as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, the monarch said the country is showing signs of old age and should have achieved more.
“As Nigeria marks its 66th independence anniversary, I feel we are getting old because a man at 66 is approaching old age and the country ought to be better than what we are today,” he said.
He lamented the hardship facing Nigerians, particularly the lower class, and called on leaders at all levels to improve on governance.
“On security, we are not so protected. There are challenges ranging from Boko Haram, kidnapping and militancy. Government needs to improve on this.
“On the economic aspect, we are still left behind with increase in fuel price, high cost of transportation, house rent, foodstuffs and poor salaries for civil servants,” he stated.
He questioned how a civil servant earning N70,000 per month could cope with the rising cost of living and still sponsor his children in school.
“At 66, a man is supposed to have achieved a lot, knowing fully well that he is about to join his ancestors, but here we are, faced with these challenges as a nation,” he added.
On Cross River, the royal father commended the governor, Prince Bassey Otu, for improving security.
“In the last dispensation, people hardly slept with their two eyes closed. At Bedwell Street in Calabar, traders used to close by 4 p.m. due to insecurity, but today there is relative peace, hence I commend the governor for this feat,” he said.
He, however, urged the governor to sustain his policy of rehabilitating and remodelling abandoned projects rather than initiating new ones under pressure from social media.
“He should not leave any project abandoned. His style of rehabilitating and remodelling old projects is the best. He should not allow old projects to go moribund. These are taxpayers’ money and should not be allowed to waste,” Ntoe Ayito said.
The monarch also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to do more to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“As the father and leader of the nation, he should not rest on his oars. If he cannot reduce fuel price, let him increase workers’ salaries so civil servants can afford basic amenities and care for their families.
“Let families be able to eat balanced meals. This will save us from malnutrition and diabetes. A situation where families eat garri morning, afternoon and evening is not the best. It leads to illnesses because the meals are not balanced. Government should do the needful,” he said.
