Patriotic Nigerians launch New Group

By Senior Cadre

A New Socio-Economic Think Thank group known as the New Independence Group (NIG) has emerged. The group, which comprises of patriotic Nigerians from different parts of the country, says it was formed due to the continuing deterioration in the living conditions of Nigerians, arising mainly from the odious policies of successive administrations,till date, which has demonstrated a glaring lack of capacity not only to understand the trajectory of the problems facing the country, but has persisted in negative formulations that contribute more to the deepening of the problems instead of providing solutions.

Read full Statement below:
COMMUNIQUE OF THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE NEW INDEPENDENCE GROUP (NIG)

The New Independence Group (NIG), a group formed by some patriotic Nigerians, who are concerned about the deteriorating socio-political and economic situation of Nigeria, and deemed the construct of a platform for robust engagement and pragmatic ideas, requisite to stimulating national reawakening and alternative solutions offering an imperative, held its inaugural meeting on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Ilepa, near Ifo, Ogun State.

The meeting resolved as follows:
Members reiterated the importance and timeliness of a group such as this against the background of the continuing decline in the fortunes of the country,even as many Nigerians are also retreating from the public space in order to focus more on personal and individual survival.

Noted that retreat should not be an option in the context in which Nigeria finds itself today as that would leave the public space to the current political class and leadership which have shown themselves spectacularly incompetent and bereft of national and patriotic aspirations.

Noted the continuing deterioration in the living conditions of Nigerians,arising mainly from the odious policies of successive administrations,till date, which has demonstrated a glaring lack of capacity not only to understand the trajectory of the problems facing the country, but has persisted in negative formulations that contribute more to the deepening of the problems instead of providing solutions.

Enjoined all patriotic Nigerians not to give up in their current state of despondency, but to muster the courage to actively engage in the public space, and help galvanize new ideas that should be the basis of reclaiming the country from those who are abusing it and misusing the trust placed on them.

Observed,in particular, that rather than proffering concrete and sustainable solutions, the present leadership, supported by majority of the political class, is busy chasing shadows and floating policies that would do no more than distract Nigerians from the real task of engaging production and launching the country on the path of greatness and worthy living for the citizens.

It is noteworthy that instead of proceeding on the path of fundamental restructuring of the country in order to release dormant energies and make the public processes more competitive and result oriented, the present leadership would rather fly the kite of local government autonomy, fully aware that the issue of the proper place of the local government and its creation and functioning should be part of the overall agenda of restructuring. In the same vein, the government would want ordinary Nigerians to change their ways while the leadership persist in their negative attitudes and actions,including preferring to sell national assets to themselves while leaving the country in the lurch.

Saw the need,therefore,to go beyond the present political class,populated more by professional politicians to mobilize Nigerians for a new positive awakening that would usher in the real independence,growth and development of the country. Working with other patriotic groupings, the NIG saw its duty as that of leading the way to a new Nigeria that is based on fairness, equity and justice on the basis of democracy and true federalism.

Decided to propel the NIG into the service of Nigerians, helping to raise important issues deserving of critical attention and, in concert with others desiring the same objectives, to ensure that Nigeria regains its footing and commence on the part of socio-economic development. This was the task it set for itself and called on other Nigerians, as individuals and groups, to work with it to arrest the perennial drift in the country in order to show the deficiencies and limitations of the political class,and show the way to a more egalitarian and democratic society that set great store by the real living condition of its teeming masses.

Signed:
Professor Akinyemi Onigbinde,
Convener.