On the occasion marking its 60th Independence Anniversary, former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair has expressed optimism that Nigeria would come out of the woods.
This assurance from the former Labour Party leader is on the heels of the hues and cries from Nigerians arising from persistent hardship and lack, even as the Nation celebrates 60 years of independence from the United Kingdom in 1960.
Tony Blair while speaking in an interview on Thursday, said he was proud that Nigeria is a strong independent country.
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“Happy birthday Nigeria, it’s 60 years old. Nigeria and Nigerians can be really proud that it’s a, strong independent country.It is the largest economy in Africa, the largest population in Africa and its got many exciting things about it. Not just for business perspective, but if you look at it in Nollywood, Culture and art and around the world, Nigerians are respected and considered a country of smart and capable people.”
He however,, lamented the challenges on politics and governance confronting Nigeria.
“I think the challenges are on the policies and Governance issue. It is really on the politics and governance areas confronting Nigeria. But I am very optimistic that it’s bound to be one of the great nations in the world and a powerful nation. And its got many potentials.”
According to Blair, Nigeria should focus on core areas of the economy.
“The country should focus on Agriculture and making sure that Nigeria has the connectivity it needs in dealing with corruption of course and focus on certain core priority areas and we know what needs to be done, it’s not very hard to describe, but the question is how. And that is what I think Nigeria should tackle and its a Federal system of course.
“The states are very powerful within Nigeria and if I have any broad counsel to give, it’s don’t try and do everything, my experience in governance is that when you try and do everything, you end up doing nothing at all. Just focus on the core things and try and put things in the right direction.”
On the way forward for Nigeria in the next 60 years, Mr. Blair said ; “My bet on the next 60 years, Nigeria will sort its problems out on politics, policies and governance issues. And you will get a whole lot of new generation coming through and you could see some sign of it already”, he said.
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