Nigeria @ 65: MWUN’s Comrade Bunu laments hardship, urges hope

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence Anniversary, Comrade Francis Bunu, President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), has felicitated Nigerians with mixed feelings, acknowledging the country’s relative peace while lamenting the prevailing economic hardship and insecurity plaguing the nation.

In a release signed by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN made available to Nationupdate, the country’s foremost maritime labour leader notes that today holds immense historical significance for Nigerians, marking a milestone in the nation’s journey since gaining independence.

Despite various governments promising progress and hope, the reality is that Nigerians continue to struggle, wearing “broken smiles” as they hold onto the hope of a better future.

Nigeria, undoubtedly a continental giant and economic powerhouse in Africa, has managed to maintain a fragile peace and sustain its democratic experiment since 1999. However, this relative stability has not translated into meaningful prosperity for its citizens, leaving many to grapple with the harsh realities of everyday life.

“First, as Nigerians we must be thankful for this relative political peace and atmosphere, which has held us bound as one people and one nation from successive governments till today we are celebrating the country in 2025 for the 64th time in our political history.

“Nigerians of all ages, both at home and abroad, deserve a nation they can proudly call their own, with dignity and respect. Given Nigeria’s global reputation as a land rich in natural resources, it’s reasonable to expect a better life for its approximately 250 million citizens. However, the harsh reality is that despite these riches, Nigerians are still struggling to make ends meet,” Bunu said.

According to Comrade Bunu, the country’s current situation is dire, with widespread hunger, poverty, and hardship. Nevertheless, he expresses optimism about the current administration’s efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the renewed hope mantra and ongoing reforms are steps in the right direction. He believes these initiatives will soon yield tangible benefits, bringing relief to the people and addressing their long-held aspirations as the country approaches 2026.

He encouraged Nigerians to believe in this government as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for the country, having promised with great determination to deliver on his political manifesto to all and sundry in Nigeria, saying that he ( President Bola ) is not unaware of the serious hardship the citizens are going through on daily basis; hence he’s not relenting to rescue Nigerians from their current living burden.

“As a nation, we must pray for the President, especially at this trying periods of insecurity, banditry, kidnapping and terrorists, who have taken advantage of vulnerability of the people and have ravaged their communities and farmlands, maiming, setting homes ablaze, raping old and young women and taking them into captivity for forced marriages and the purpose of taking ransom and making lives unbearable and difficult for the downtrodden and other majority of Nigerians across board,” continued Bunu.

He, also urged the country to pray, Christians and Muslims inclusive to seek the face of the Almighty God for our Armed forces, who have been overstretched in their gallant efforts in securing the nation and battling the vices bedeviling the country’s progress, peace and unity.

He, however assures of a better country under this administration, urging Nigerians to persevere, noting that the high cost of living, high rate of unemployment, hunger and insecurity in the land would soon be a thing of the past; charging the government of the day to also expedite actions and its efforts towards stabilizing high living conditions of Nigerians, whose minimum wage has become mere abstract imagination; and not in conformity with the reality on ground of the living standard of Nigerians, which has become daily apprehension of every household and the open-ended worry of the common masses. This saddening situation, Bunu says is not only reflecting on the people’s mentality but also deteriorating their health every day as they go about their lives; hence, he calls for immediate attention of the government to come to the people’s social intervention.

The PG of MWUN, Bunu, asks Nigerians to celebrate today with hope of a better tomorrow, reminding Nigerians that the country is on course of reclaiming her glory with very strong obsession, given the fighting of impediments trying to stop the country’s efforts from repositioning her ground on the continent.

Comrade Bunu extended warm Independence Day wishes to Nigerians, emphasizing that the country’s development and progress require collective effort. ‘We have no other country but Nigeria,’ he said, urging citizens to unite in building a better society where everyone can enjoy prosperity together in peace and harmony.

On this special day, the Ijaw born activist congratulated notable labour leaders, including Comrades Tony Nted and Prince (Dr.) Adewale Adeyanju, on their shared birthday with Nigeria’s Flag Day. He acknowledged their contributions to the labour movement, including their roles in the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).