Guardian

SIR: I was amazed when in March this year, I interviewed a 20 year-old man, named Michael, for a day guard in our institution in Ogoja, Cross River State.

He hails from Ukelle Local Government in northern Cross River State. He could hardly write his name. And I wondered where he had been in 21st century Nigeria. I asked him and he said he stopped schooling in primary 5 when his father died. Even at primary 5, he hardly could write his name. He can only speak pidgin English. With all the educational programmes our government – both state and federal – has in place, we could not catch this man and give him some modicum of education.

Sunday is not alone. There are millions like him growing up in a major petro-dollar economy in the 21st century without any meaningful preparation to meet the challenges of the day.

Where are we on the Millennium Development Goals?

And to talk of Ukelle in northern Cross River State, one can only access that place freely in the dry season. When the rains come, only Okada can go there with much trouble. And yet that is in Nigeria. Which teacher will agree to live and teach children there?

Let us stop deceiving ourselves. Nigeria is a failed state. Do not mind the politicians of all parties with their claims. They are busy selling our country to China and Western capitalists through billion and trillion dollar contracts for one bogus construction or another. The scramble for Africa is still on.

God save Nigeria.

• Okpara Inworogu, Assemblies of God Seminary

Anyikang, Bekwarra, Cross River State.