Let me on behalf of the
patriotic Nigerians congratulate the brand new President of Nigeria, Mohammadu
Buhari and pray that his tenure will bring the expected positive Change to
Nigeria and Nigerians wherever they may be living under the Sun in Jesus name..
A special person worthy
of mentioning is the outgoing President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, having
conceded defeat early in the election for being a gallant loser and for not
plunging Nigeria into an avoidable socio-political and economic instability.
“CHANGE” as the slogan
that brought APC – All Progressives Congress to power is expected to now move
from slogan to reality that are felt throughout the length and breadth of
Nigeria even beyond our shores. Now, it’s Time for action and no more rhetoric.
I know that Nigerians are eager to see the manifestation of “CHANGE” in their
respective daily living. This is sometimes due to the unrealistic expectations
of Nigerians which has made the countdown to the better days ahead nearer than
ever, as early as yesterday, before today’s inauguration and celebrations. The
CHANGE has begun momentarily.
Let me sound a note of
caution here, President Mohammadu Buhari is neither a Magician that can solve
all the problems associated with many years of Nigeria’s under- development or
impoverishment over night, neither is he a Miracle Worker that can make all
Nigerians’ problems disappear just like that, Nigerians must learn to be
patience and ready to cooperate with the new government. They must have better
understanding of the difficult Time that we are living right now, and give the
incoming government ample Time to settle down into governance.
Nigerians’ shopping
list could be as long as the River Niger’s bridge, however, as for me, my own
list is just fur in five in number, assuming that one item is faced head on and
executed per year under this present dispensation. My list is arranged
according to my order of priorities. They are as follows:
The first one is the
Internal Peace and Security of Nigerian and Nigerians. There is no gain saying
that all programmes to be effective will have to be initiated and implemented
where there is total peace and security to lives and properties. Neither will
anything be achieved under the atmosphere of fear and intimidation, or any
foreign investor be willing to invest or continue to invest in a system where corruption,
anarchy, insecurity to lives and properties exist.
Secondly, is the issue
of Electricity Generation. There is the need for more than the supply of
adequate electricity to power the economy now and in the future. There are many
economies of the world including Brazil, Malaysia and Singapore that were
developed by Small and Medium Scale including retail businesses. Nigeria is
blessed with the needed human and natural resources to be one of the most
industrialised countries in the world, what is required is eco-political will
of our leaders to truly and consciously lead the followers aright. One of such
ways is by creating the enabling environment by governments; federal, national
and local. With regular and sustainable electricity supply now and for future
expansion purposes, nothing will stop the giant of Africa from rising up from
her deep slumber again.
Fourthly, is the key
issue of Youth Unemployment. This hydra-headed monster that has been
threatening to destroy Nigeria will need to be brought under control. The
Federal Government will have to provide the enabling environment as suggested
above and assist the Small Scale Industries to develop at their own pace. The
generation of electricity which was said to have a maximum capacity of 5500 MW (Even
though never produced to such capacity) will go a long way in reducing
unemployment. Nigerians from historical evidence are generally creative in
nature; all that is needed is the governments to support their initiatives.
This can be done through the provision of infrastructures such as good road
networks, rail, and internal and intranet water ways grants, loans, and
incentives for business start-ups as well as existing businesses. I will like
to restate that good road networks, reliable waterways, and efficient rail
networks can be married with the fourth suggestion as a strategy to reducing
unemployment in Nigeria.
Lastly, is the question
of Corruption. There is an urgent need for Awareness and Educational Campaign
Programmes, coupled with zero tolerance for Corruption through strict
implementation of the existing provisions and laws against Corruption.
Furthermore, there is the necessity of reviewing of the existing legislation in
order to make them more current at every stage of the way for effective war
against Corruption, if indeed we are serious about getting rid of this Cancer.
Repentant corrupt officers who return the stolen or misappropriated moneys or
properties should be welcome to doing so, while limited and justifiable probes
may have to be initiated in order to recover the looted public moneys and/or
properties (Without the accusations of Witch hunting) This will also serve as
deterrent. Corruption is a killer disease and must be extracted from all facets
of the Nigerian society.
Let me conclude by
saying that it is very important that Mr President is totally supported by all
sectors of the economy, and all regions of the country in order to focus on his
own programmes for restoring credibility back to both Nigerians at home and in
the diaspora. The present government should not be distracted by calls for all
kinds of probes that at the end of the day are likely to truncate the APC’s
well thought out agenda for Nigeria and Nigerians restoration.
The President will be
held accountable for whatever happens under his watch. The much expected CHANGE
has come, and let’s wish all Initiators of Change in all cadets of Nigerian
economy (from top to bottom) the very best and God’s guidance and wisdom in the
difficult but necessary tasks ahead. All of us are agents of CHANGE from the
office door man to the Oga at the top. Let the CHANGE begins from Top to
Bottom.
Taiwo Rotimi
A Political
Commentator, and a Business Specialist
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