Hardship: Nigerians Task Government on Good Governance

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora have told the governments at all levels to improve on the welfare of the people, stressing that Nigerians in the country are dying on daily basis as a result of hunger resulting from economic hardship.

An American-based Nigerian, Dr Nyesom Sam Dike, said despite the rich natural resources in the country, the citizens are still wallowing in poverty and deprivation.

Dike made the assertion at the weekend, during the burial ceremony of his 94 years old mother, Mrs Mary Dike, held at the Yakubu Gowon stadium, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking on the level of development in the country, Dike , who said he has been living in the United States of America for the past 40 years, regretted that the government has not done very well in terms of infrastructure and human capacity development.

He said: “I am not impressed.  I think Nigeria has a lot of rich natural resources, including manpower but the way things have deteriorated considering when I left the country, I am appalled by it.

“I hope that this government will do better because we are expecting better. We need good governance that will be able to maintain roads, to take after the people, the masses are suffering, look at power sector, every day we are burning diesel. How can we be in the miss of plenty, yet nothing seem to work?”

Speaking further, Dike described his late mother as “a wonderful woman, a disciplinarian and God fearing.” 

He said the memory she left behind will remain permanent in their life no matter what part of the world they live. 

“And this encourages us to work hard to achieve the best that we can. Without mama I wouldn’t have been where I am now. I have been away to the United States for over 40 years and is not easy, but she constantly reminded me of my root and it never departed from me. We will miss here greatly.

Also speaking with journalists at the event, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, urged Nigerians to be patient with the government of President Bola Tinubu, saying  is barely one year old  in office.

Boms, who served under the government of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi said: “I am personally satisfied with the effort being made by the federal government led by Tinubu.

“I live in Rivers State, before this time it wasn’t as good as this in terms of security, is better now. And let’s keep praying it gets better in the future.”

He noted the positive impact played by the deceased in the lives of many who had contact with her, saying “She was very warm, kind and receptive to all of us who visited her house to see the son, Bethel”. 

Meanwhile,  85 years old younger brother to the deceased, Mr James, has expressed pain that he will miss the sister, expressing the good times they had together during their childhood period and at the old age.