By Khaleed Yazeed
Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has been a country rich in resources, with hardworking and talented people, and the potential to become one of the world’s leading nations. At the time of independence, many countries predicted that Nigeria would become a major economic and political hub in Africa. Oil, agriculture, minerals, and a large population suggested that Nigeria could be one of the leading developing countries.
But unfortunately, after more than sixty years, that goal hasn’t been achieved. Instead of progress, we’ve seen setbacks. Instead of economic growth, poverty has increased. Instead of peace, insecurity spread to almost every part of the country. Instead of a fair and service-oriented government for its people, we find ourselves in a political system that benefits a few.
Instead of a government that is just and serves its people, we foudnd ourselves in a political system that benefits only politicians holding positions of power, excluding the rest of the country’s population. Today, Nigeria is among the countries most affected by poverty despite the vast wealth and resources God has given it.
Millions of young people are unemployed. Hundreds of industries have shut down or moved to other countries to continue their business due to electricity problems, insecurity, and poor government policies. This has caused many young people to find themselves in uncertainty, some falling into bad habits, while others migrate to foreign countries to start a new life.
In the North, the situation is even worse. There are many villages that cannot be reached because of bandit attacks. Thousands of families have lost their homes. Some roam the streets begging in the name of being students, while others have fallen into the trap of slavery due to lack of education, as ignorance is widespread because of the inability to go to school.
The question we should ask ourselves is: Is Nigeria’s problem only the leaders, or is it the system they run that has failed, causing us to suffer? If a president is replaced but the system remains the same, will we get a different outcome? If the government changes but our problems continue exactly like the previous government’s, doesn’t that show that the problem goes beyond a single person or is bigger than just one political party?
This is where Orange Union comes in. Orange Union is not a political party. It is not an organization seeking power. It is a new political philosophy that seeks to reshape Nigeria in order to build a country where every citizen is treated fairly, strong, prosperous in a way that benefits everyone, and a country that allows its people to benefit from its resources.
Orange Union sees that Nigeria’s biggest mistake is not giving the federal government all the power to manage major things alone. Today, almost all key areas of the economy, security, and administration are under the control of the federal government in Abuja. All states receive monthly funds from the federal government before they can carry out any kind of work.
This has made many governors focus more on how government funds are shared instead of finding ways to grow their states’ economies. Orange Union says it’s time to rebuild Nigeria’s federal system so that states and regions have full power to plan their own development.
The federal government should focus on national security, foreign affairs, national finances, borders, and other major national matters, while the states handle agriculture, industries, education, health, housing, roads, and economic development. Some people are mistaken in thinking that Orange Union wants to divide Nigeria.
This is not true. Orange Union wants Nigeria to continue as one mother and one father, but a Nigeria built on justice, equity, and respect for the rights of every region. Unity does not last if it is built on oppression or inequality. True unity happens when everyone feels they have full rights and dignity in their inherited country. If states are given full power, each state will start using its resources properly.
An agricultural state will make farming its main source of economy. A state with minerals will manage its own minerals. States with tourist attractions will develop tourism. An industrial state will create new industries. This will bring competition among the states, and competition among states is the backbone of any country’s development.
For the North, this is a great opportunity. We have the largest land in Nigeria. We have plenty of farms. We have livestock. We have valuable minerals. We have the sun and wind from which energy can be produced. We have many young people.
Yet, despite all that, we are in regions that suffer the most from poverty. The problem is that the system does not allow us to use our resources properly. Orange Union believes that if the North is given the chance to design its policies with full control, it could become Africa’s agricultural hub, a center for agro-processing, an energy hub, and a commercial hub between West African countries.
One of Orange Union’s main pillars is education because no society has ever advanced without it. Orange Union aims to end the problem of almajiranci by providing both modern and religious education together. This is done by building quality schools, training teachers, and teaching children science, technology, trades, and life skills.
Likewise, Orange Union sees young people as the nation’s greatest asset. Nigerian youth are not a problem, and the government must provide them with an environment where they can use their talents. Investment is needed in small businesses, innovation centers, providing them training on modern technology, and facilitating youth on their needs, establishing industries so that young people can rely on their own skills, not just wait for government jobs.
In the health sector, Orange Union aims to build modern health centers in all states of the country, so that Nigerians stop spending billions going abroad for treatment. It also seeks to ensure that ordinary people can access quality healthcare easily without any difficulty.
In terms of security, Orange Union believes that there is no progress without security. Therefore, it supports a system that will allow states to play an important role in protecting their communities in collaboration with federal government agencies. Security will not be the job of the federal government alone; the community also must Communities must also take part in ensuring security and peace.
Orange Union will also fight corruption. Through ways such as the government conducting the budget openly, monitoring government activities, and punishing anyone who betrays public trust regardless of their position or party. The most important thing is that Orange Union does not represent any tribe or religion. It is not Hausa. It is not Yoruba. It is not Igbo. It is not Muslim or Christian. It belongs to all the people of Nigeria who desire justice, progress, peace, and a government that works for the development of the society.
In truth, our biggest mistake is thinking we will get good results from the old system that the colonial masters set up for us. Changing a person without changing the system is like changing the driver when the car engine is broken.
Whoever drives this car, if the engine is broken, it will never move. Therefore, it is time for Nigerians to start discussing this. A system that will save our country. It’s time for us to stop politics based on personal interest. It’s time for us to stop relying on politicians’ promises and build our country on a good system based on law, order, and justice.
Orange Union is a system. It’s a philosophy that seeks to revive Nigeria through justice, truth, job creation, education, security, and reducing the power of the federal government.
If we get strong support to embrace this new system, we will build a Nigeria that will be a source of pride for its children and for the whole African continent.
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