Expectations of Nigerians from government in 2020

By Bisi Olominu
|
Since the advent of democracy in Nigeria, billions of naira have been expended on power, yet the desired goal has not been achieved. Many companies have relocated out of Nigeria to neighbouring countries.

The issue of security is another thing, though the government is trying, but it has not met the expectation of Nigerians. Boko Haram, kidnapping, armed robbery and ritual killings are increasing in the country. People are afraid to travel on the roads, those who ventured to travel, do so with trepidation.

Nigeria is a country that does not know its actual population, so planning for the people has become difficult. Several times census to be conducted has been postponed. Coupled with this is the issue of unemployment that is gradually degenerating  to tension in the country . We don’t actually have data base on the number of people looking for employment in the country. Employment issue has become cash and carry, and this, if not urgently addressed, is a time bomb that could explode at any time.

The Hope interviewed some Nigerians on their expectations for year 2020.

In his contribution, Mr. Adeola Adeolu said that government at all levels must join hands together to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country. According to him, the country is not safe for the citizens and non-citizens again, as nobody is  sleeping with two eyes closed.

His words : “The lost glory of Nigeria as the  safest country in the world must be restored.  The emergence of Boko Haram into our political history by politicians who started using them as political thugs before turning into a dreaded cult must be addressed. The present government is trying its possible best by taming the monster the splinter groups must be tackled and defeated. Kudos to our military that has sacrificed a lot to confront this monster, many soldiers have paid the supreme sacrifice. We thank them for this and we call on the federal government to compensate their families and put them in remembrance”.

“Again, the issue of the economy should be addressed. Those telling us that our economy is in good shape are not telling the truth, with the inflation staring us in the face and the purchasing power of the naira low. It shows on peoples’ faces that many are suffering in the country. People can’t eat three square meals again. Therefore  our economy should be tackled this year. The think -tank committee put in place by the President should come out with a blueprint that will save Nigerians from further hardship, pain and agony they are going through now.

“Finally, it is disheartening that those we elected to the National Assembly to serve us are selfish. I was shocked to hear that a place constructed with N10billion will now be renovated with N37 billion. Does this add up? It is nothing but money for the boys. There must be something wrong with us in this country, and it is a pity that the president despite his anti-corruption crusade could not frown at this. So, how come that mere renovation of a building  is costing a whopping N37billion?

Those in government should review the cost again and make it realistic.”

To Miss Teju Ademola, a student in an higher institution in Ondo State, she urged the state government to review the tuition fees being paid by students in higher institutions in the state. According to her, parents are finding it difficult to pay the money, despite the state government allowing parents to pay twice. Many students are finding it difficult to pay the exorbitant money, many could not complete the last two session tuition fees.

Hear her:” Education should be for all in the country and it should not be the preserved exclusive right of those with money in the country. Quite disturbing is that most of our leaders now enjoyed scholarship and free education put in place by the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, but see hardship they are bringing on parents and their wards today. Government should have pity on us and reduce our tuition fees to the barest minimum”.

Speaking on his expectation on government in year 2020, Mr. Julius Adegbamigbe urged the federal government to do everything to allay the fear of Nigerians.  He condemned the incessant killings in the land, stressing that a nation that does not accord respect to human life  cannot progress. According to him, human life is not accorded respect the police are killing people without provocation, young and old are killing people for money rituals and insurgency is destroying innocent lives everyday.

“ Government should take urgent steps to address the unprovoked killings in Nigeria. Nobody is safe, and innocent people are just being killed unjustly in the country. Nobody is safe in the country, going to farm now is becoming difficult as Fulani herdsmen are on the prowl, maiming, killing and raping women farmers in their farms after destroying their crops. Government must deploy everything in its arsenal to destroy this evil people this year. This must be the year for judgement on the evil doers in the country.

” Adding to this, the issue of unemployment must be tackled now. It is disheartening to see many graduates roaming the streets. Government must fill the vacant positions in the civil service. It is unemployment giving birth to kidnapping that we are witnessing in the country. Government  must immediately put in place a  system that will absorb the geometric numbers of unemployed youths in the country”.

To a graduate, Tunde Busari, what he will want the government to do for him is to provide him with immediate employment. He said that in the last three years he has been searching for employment, but nothing has materialized.

” When I could not get government job to do  I opened a barber shop, but electricity has become the problem. The little profit I am getting from the shop is being taken away by petrol. Government has done nothing since the advent of democracy to improve on electricity in the country. We heard billions of naira being spent on electricity but with no result. To improve on business in the country, government must find solution to electricity problem in the country.”

To Mr. Sunday Ademola, a welder working in Akure, the most pressing issue that government must address is the issue of electricity. He said that many businesses have folded up in the country, while many welders are now riding Okada as an alternative. He posited that government is not doing enough to solve this problem, urging government to retrieve electricity from the present investors as they have nothing to offer again.

His words: ” If the present government has no vested interest in the present investors, then electricity should be retrieved from them. What the investors are giving to Nigerians is darkness  we are just funding the BEDC without result. If government has no vested interest, then why has it become so difficult to retrieve electricity from the investors?

“The masses are suffering in this country, and there is nobody to fight for them. Those at the National Assembly are selfish and self-centred, they are supposed to fight for us, but they are fighting for their pockets. If electricity problem can be solved in the country, so many businesses will spring up, the dead ones will be revived and employment will boom in the country.”