NIGERIA has never been bereft of good ideas and enviable developmental policies. Different regimes had either homegrown, imported and or domesticated development agenda which had promises of ‘revamping the economy’ and make the nation an enviable political system, amongst the comity of nations. These policies over the years have stamped Nigeria, on paper, as the undisputable giant of Africa, a promising economically developed nation and also a global brand and destination for foreign investors. THE HOPE however observes that the results of these ‘brilliant’ policies had been more hardship, calls for more sacrifice on the part of Nigerians, and horrendous reports of looted funds by the politicians in power.
OFTEN times, the technical aspects of the policies were left hanging, funds are not allocated, experts are sidelined and is no continuity. Successive regimes had always started well, and ended badly, bestowing on the nation cycles of promises of economic elevation and actual recession. Transition programmes have always witnessed the need for the incoming leaders to always ‘go back to the drawing board’. WE ask, ‘shall President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda be in any way different?’
WITH the authentication of his victory by the election tribunal, it becomes imperative to interrogate the marching orders earlier given to the new cabinet on economic resurgence and emancipation of the nation from the gulag of socio-economic despondency. The new agenda with the objectives of checking the unacceptably high unemployment rate, ensure prosperity for all by ending poverty and the attainment of economic growth specifically seek to ensure food security; poverty eradication; growth, job creation; access to capital; inclusion; rule of law; and fight corruption.
THE Hope however observes that apart from poverty eradication, (compared to poverty alleviation), nothing seems new, except the cabinet members who are saddled with these responsibilities. In other words, Nigeria does not have new challenges, only the lackluster political will, sincerity and ‘ethical revolution’ to make the necessary changes that would change the economic fortunes of her people and nation. So, what should President Tinubu do differently?
WHILE we commend the President’s marching orders to the new cabinet members, it is also important to remark that a three-year period of delivery on these agenda seems too long. This is because the nation at this time battles with unfavourable statistics that may portend dangers to the government, and her people. For example, the unemployment rate amongst the youths is around 53.4%, the naira fluctuates and oscillates between N700 and N900 to the dollar in an import dependent economy, fuel prices suffer from subsidy removal; banditry and kidnapping are surging high and agricultural productions reclining.
WE also note that in Nigeria, two years are dedicated for electioneering strategies, so those in power have just two years of productivity, one year of commissioning and another year of gathering votes. To this end, we suggest two years of service delivery on these agenda or a change in leadership of the various ministries. Therefore, appraisable quarterly objectives should be set before our honourable ministers, if in truth government finds these agenda worthy of achievement.
ALSO, especially in fighting corruption, there is the need to investigate why corruption had always fought back and won in this nation. Despite the hues and cries by the past administration, few are the concluded cases of corruption; and many publicized corrupt personnel are walking free, and even in government. A serious anti-corruption government would at its inception clean its Augean stables and revisit the laws guiding corrupt practices in the country We have observed that anti-corruption crusades in Nigeria had been tainted with unveiled political vendetta, personality seducement and induced submission. President Tinubu must, by sponsored bills, political engineering and untainted oaths address the weaknesses of law, procedural deficiency and international collaborations that impinge on the successful anti-corruption crusades during his time in office.
ON a scale of preference, the internal security of lives and properties of Nigerians remains the foremost programme that can guarantee the delivery of the government agenda. Food security may remain an impossible task when farmers cannot go their farms, when transportation becomes a deadly trap and citizens cannot sleep with both eyes closed. Is the time not ripe for legalized formidable states security network? Truth be told, the level of life-threatening criminality in the nation has gotten to an alarmed rate and this affects foreign and local direct investments; hamper entrepreneurial innovations and restricts economic activities that could have saved Nigeria from her poverty yokes. It is time to enlist more men into our security networks, have three tier (federal, states and local governments) security outfits and equip security forces with 21st Century security gadgets for effective security deliveries.
THE Hope strongly believes that this eight-point agenda is achievable, with more enlightenment of the masses, strong political will and the true love of the nation in the hearts of the people in power, since a soaring Nigeria benefits the whole.ty of the country is more important than any individual or sectional interest. Let democracy be the winner, not individual ego or any narrow selfish interests. Now that the matter is before the Supreme Court, we urge their lordships to dispense justice without favor but in the interest of Nigeria.
