Elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday, expressed disappointment in Nigeria’s deterioration, and regretted the alarming number of poor people in the country.
He made the remarks Wednesday in Lagos during his 90th birthday celebration, saying however that he was optimistic that the forthcoming general election will produce leaders that would help reset the country.
Anyaoku who expressed gratitude to God that he was born in Nigeria, said “Very few countries are as blessed as Nigeria.”
Anyaoku said the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, which he noted had made travelling by road dangerous, should be a source of concern to everyone in the country. He also stated that the country’s green passport was being despised at many international airports.
He said, “An undeniable truth at the moment is that our country has declined, insecurity has made traveling by road dangerous.
“The green passport is disdained in many international airports. Our economy is such that most of our young people and increasingly a great number of our professionals are going abroad for greener pastures. Nigeria now has one of the greatest concentrations of people living below the poverty line.
“There is hope that this year’s national elections will be the beginning of a change for the better.”
On his age, the elder statesman pointed out that “90 is an age of reflection,” just as he acknowledged the grace and goodness of God in his life.