'Today marks the 37th anniversary of the death of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, the great patriot who paid the ultimate price for Nigeria. I urge all Nigerians to remember the life and times of this hero of Nigeria who proved the truism in the maxim that people may die but ideas never die. Today, his ideas live after him-Abuja as the Federal Capital of a united strong and prospering Nigeria and Democracy thriving all over the nation. But perhaps most prophetic is his speech at the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in January of 1976 where he said ‘Africa has come of age’. Almost 37 years to the day, all Nigerians celebrate our victorious Super Eagles who to paraphrase Murtala’s words proved that Nigeria ‘has come of age’. I thank God for giving us such a patriot and pray that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain.'

President Goodluck Jonathan via Facebook

I totally disagree. Nigeria is not a "strong, united and prosperous nation," and we have neither come of age. Beyond this usual platitudes, please let's tell ourselves the truth.