Nigeria at 66: Our Problems Stem From Failure of Values, Principles, Says Dan Kanu

Prince Daniel Kanu has attributed Nigeria's ongoing struggles to the absence of good values and principles within society, asserting that the nation's woes cannot be resolved through politics, strikes, or blame games. In a message commemorating Nigeria's 66th Independence Day, Kanu urged Nigerians to transcend government interference and accept their role in reviving the country, emphasizing the need to prioritize national interests over ethnic, religious, and political divisions.

Kanu praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's address, describing it as sincere and progressive, while urging citizens to back legitimate institutions and leadership, and to shoulder their part in fixing the nation. He highlighted that both governmental and non-governmental entities have collectively failed themselves at various levels, urging Nigerians to confront the truth and abandon self-deception.

The New Deal Organization chairman raised eyebrows over a recent three-day warning strike announced by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) over demands the government was reportedly failing to meet by September 30, 2026. Kanu questioned why individuals responsible for addressing systemic issues would resort to strikes to compel others to fix problems they are partly responsible for.

He criticized Nigeria's underdevelopment due to the lack of essential virtues such as integrity, honesty, competence, accountability, compassion, and adherence to rules. Kanu insisted that the solution lies in the deliberate adoption and practice of these values and principles, including integrity, honesty, respect, competence, compassion, empathy, accountability, and customer service.

While acknowledging the hardships faced by Nigerians, especially the marginalized, Kanu stressed that these issues predate the current administration and cannot be solved through politics or industrial action. He encouraged Nigerians to embrace their responsibility in nation-building, quoting John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

Kanu emphasized that Nigeria's immense natural and human resources would remain underutilized without responsible citizens and institutions, urging Nigerians to put the country first and unite around the Constitution for the sake of present and future generations.