Human rights activist and political commentator, Ann-Kio Briggs, has decried Nigeria’s poor level of development 65 years after independence, saying the country has failed to live up to its vast potential.
Briggs, speaking on ARISE News, lamented that decades of poor leadership and misplaced priorities had left the nation struggling despite its resources.
“From 1960 till now, we should have done far, far better,” she said.
Recalling a story about Dubai’s early years, she noted how Nigeria once rejected a request for assistance from the Gulf nation.
“We hear that Dubai once came to borrow money from Nigeria when they discovered oil. I am ashamed to say the story is that we drove Dubai away because we didn’t believe they could pay us back. Look at Dubai today and look at Nigeria,” she said.
Briggs described Dubai’s transformation into a global hub as a contrast to Nigeria’s underdevelopment.
“Dubai hosts the tallest buildings; architecturally, they are fantastic. In every way you look at it, in development, in investment, they’re investing all over the world. I would be surprised if Dubai’s money is not in Nigeria,” she added.
She blamed Nigeria’s woes on leaders who lacked vision and capacity.
“We have had the wrong people in places of power, authority, and governance,” she said.
Briggs also stressed that patriotism lies in admitting the nation’s failures rather than covering them up.
“You see, the thing is, I believe that if you want to make changes, you have to accept the truth. It doesn’t make you any less patriotic as a Nigerian if you actually can accept that something has gone terribly wrong in Nigeria,” she said.
The Niger Delta activist said her region had long been calling for fairness, equity and meaningful development.
Earlier, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah, who was also on the programme, echoed her views.
“Unfortunately, we have a country that doesn’t like to confront the truth. We live by ‘forgive and forget’. We bury the hatchet with its handle still visible,” Kukah said.