Former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has lamented the state of Nigeria’s economy and infrastructure, claiming that several key sectors that once flourished have now collapsed.
Obi spoke during a town hall meeting in Rivers State, where he compared Nigeria’s former strength in the shipping and aviation industries with the current state of both sectors.
He recalled that Nigeria’s National Shipping Line had a growing fleet in the years after independence, while Emirates Airlines, which began operations decades later, has expanded into one of the world’s major airlines.
“Everything has collapsed in Nigeria. As of 1959, Nigeria’s National Shipping Line owned 6 vessels; by 1961, they owned 8 vessels, and it kept increasing. But today, they have no vessel.
“I read today in the newspaper that when Emirates Airlines started in 1985, they started with two leased planes. At that time, Nigeria had over 20 planes. But today, Emirates Airlines has over 280 planes, while Nigeria’s own is now zero.”
Obi also expressed concern over Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly the difficulties faced by people suffering from serious illnesses.
He said the poor state of healthcare facilities had forced some Nigerians to seek alternative solutions, including taking sick relatives to churches for prayers.
“If today you’re critically ill in Nigeria and you go to the hospital, you might likely end up at the mortuary. That’s why many Nigerians like taking ill people to church.”
His remarks have generated discussion among Nigerians, with many debating the state of the country’s aviation, shipping and healthcare sectors.
