Recently, several unpredictable scenes ranging from the #DasukiGate to
rapid fall of the crude oil price, hike of petrol pump price, reemergence of
Biafra agitation cum Niger-Delta militancy, the governors’ protest over
continued payment of the #18000 minimum wage, the alleged abrupt disappearance
of original copy of the 2016 appropriation bill from the National Assembly
alongside its alleged discrepancies thereafter, the sudden 40% increment of
electricity tariff, CBN’s #50 stamp duty charge, and the ongoing drowsy
physiognomy of the Nigeria’s foreign
reserve, among others too numerous to mention, have in different occasions
transpired on the socio-political platform of an entity reckoned to be the ‘giant
of Africa’ thereby posing an astronomical threat to its citizenry at large.
The aforementioned seemingly foreseen anomalies had made many of the its
citizens both at home and in the diaspora coupled with concerned observers to
unequivocally insinuate that it’s doomed. Though such presumption or
insinuation presently preoccupying the mindset of the majority of Nigerians
might not be unconnected to the fact that quick assertion of conclusion to
happenings is peculiar to the human nature, but it’s worthy to note that that
isn’t a wholesome perception; hence, not acceptable by any logical and rational
creature.
Every sane being as well as anyone who thinks good of the acclaimed giant
of Africa ought to be concerned with the panacea for this vertex of quagmire
that seems not unlike a paradox. To this end, it’s needless to state that the
topic of this piece was informed by this very fact – acknowledging the
inevitable role of panacea in a situation like this.
In any circumstance, while searching for the most viable way of settling
a crisis or putting a holistic end to any menace, it is imperative to firstly
ascertain the origin or foundation of the plight in question; therefore the
ongoing societal crises in this entity called Nigeria won’t be exceptional. In
view of this obvious fact, there’s a compelling need for us to look inwardly
with a view to unravelling the genesis of this apparently poignant odyssey initiated
by a group of unscrupulous elements.
Thus, before seeking for the way out, the paramount question is, how did
we get here? In some quarters, people are of the view that these predicaments
are attributable to the 16-year misrule of the acclaimed largest political
party in Africa – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); some persons in their
understanding are preoccupied with a belief that these plights are attributed
to so much promises made by the ruling party – the APC; on another axis, people
believe that most of the ongoing crises were occasioned by Nigeria’s unending
sole dependence on the oil sector. Among all, some schools of thought are
strongly of the opinion that the origin of this state of poignancy is traceable
to the presumed high level of docility that marred the Goodluck Jonathan’s
leadership.
If I’m bound to be whole in my analysis, in a concise term I would say
that there are two major factors responsible for all these tantrums and brouhahas
currently ravaging all facets of our economy. One is that those whom are
negatively affected by the ongoing anti-graft war or whom have perceived a
‘witch-hunt’ as the case may be had vowed to make the country ungovernable by the
Mohammadu Buhari led administration.
The second factor is scepticism; various Nigerians are still sceptical
over the established notion that President Buhari was the awaited Messiah;
people are still sceptical over the sincerity surrounding the ongoing colossal
anti-corruption cases; the electorate are sceptical over the anticipated
actualization of the 2016 proposed budget; people are still sceptical if this
administration truly has a genuine agenda that would lead this country to the
anticipated promised-land. Therefore, the two factors are: the wrong use of opposition
in a democratic dispensation as well as scepticism on the part of the
electorate which is not unusual. Any interregnum often yields scepticism,
apprehension, uncalled fear and what have you.
Undoubtedly, in such situation, it is the prerogative of everyone to
nurture or be entitled to his/her own opinion. But for the interest of Nigeria
whom is already crying foul, we are not meant to be concerned or bothered over
people’s personal opinions rather how to salvage them from this untold hardship
irrespective of whose ox is gored. Thus at this juncture, the most
consequential and rational question becomes - what’s the panacea?
For the present administration to be thoroughly described and recognized
as a responsible and responsive government, it must be ready to absorb
constructive criticism, which remains an inevitable veritable tool in
nation-building. It is expected to spread its hands open for any form of
criticism that is aimed at addressing any anomaly or ill.
In the same vein, the administration must at all cost be willing to
adhere to the principles guiding the rule of law. If anyone detained by the
EFCC or the DSS has reached or tendered all the required conditions for him to
be bailed, he should be released without much ado prior to when next he would be
needed for further scrutiny or interrogation; it is only the military that does
not understand the language of bail. To restrict the person’s movement
afterwards or after the bail, they must endeavour to seize his/her International
Passport or travelling documents.
And anyone who is still in detention that pleads to be allowed to see
his doctor abroad or claims to be passing through a severe medical condition,
should be allowed to travel out but in custody of the DSS, EFCC or ICPC as the
case might be, or better still his doctor should be invited from abroad to
attend to him in the cell. We must note that the person’s health condition is
very crucial in such situation; a detainee must be medically sound to enable
him/her pass through any stress during arraignment. In other words, one must be
alive to attend to any query.
More so, the government ought to be prepared to charge accused persons
to court; that is no doubt what every sane Nigerian yearns for. Unarguably, constitutionally
it is only the judiciary that has the immunity to tender justice. Looters or
corrupt individuals/organizations shouldn’t just return stolen monies and be
allowed to get away scot-free; if such
practice is to be upheld, subsequently public office holders would attempt to
steal funds in their custodies since they would only be asked to return them
thereafter. In the same vein, the judicial custodians or members of the bench
must endeavour to give speedy hearing to any prosecution with a view to
salvaging the electorate from the bondage of unending suspense invariably witnessed during court
proceedings.
Regarding the renewed Biafra agitation, I urge the government to handle
the matter with extreme diplomacy. First, it ought to endeavour to unravel what
actually prompted the reemergence of a protest that is believed to have faded
off long ago, after all the aggrieved group in question has a constitutional
right to ask for freedom if it felt marginalized; hence its members deserve a
fair hearing. Thus, the treasonable felony established against the leader of
the IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu should be reviewed in earnest for the interest of
Nigeria in its entirety.
Above all, the 2016 proposed budget was estimated on the targeted oil
benchmark of $38 per barrel but right now the crude oil price is already below
the stipulated benchmark and it is liable to fall further in the nearest future;
this simply implies that for the said budget to be feasible when duly
implemented, the government must not compromise every effort targeted towards
diversification of the sources of the country’s economy. Against this backdrop,
I enjoin the government to take the education, health, power, science and
technology, tourism, agriculture and solid minerals sectors as priorities; the
aforesaid sectors that were maltreated in the past need to be strengthened
headlong. Taxing the poor masses by outrageously hiking their electricity
tariffs as well as imposing a stamp duty charge of #50 on them isn’t the
panacea. Honestly, if we do the needful, the ongoing continuous decline of the
crude-oil’s value would soon be seen as a blessing in disguise.
In the same spirit; as regards the alleged discrepancies in the proposed
budget, the Senate Committee on Budgetary among other relevant standing
committees in collaboration with those of the Green Chamber ought to invite the
parties involved with a view to making amends where necessary rather than
keeping us in suspense. They must acknowledge that the ongoing suspense is very
detrimental to the country’s ostensibly pitiable economy since it’s obvious
that budget remains the bedrock of any developmental strive.
The educational arena requires a drastic upgrade or total overhaul in
order to encourage entrepreneurship drive among our young ones; isn’t it
ridiculous that among the best one thousand universities in the world, no
Nigerian university is included? On a daily basis, millions of naira are being
transported to foreign countries by most Nigerian parents/guardians to cater
for their wards’ tuition fees. The health sector too, cannot be neglected
because ab initio billions of naira are invariably sent to foreign nations by
the rich for payment of medical treatments at the expense of our foreign
reserve. This country is blessed with enormous cultural heritage; hence it’s
high time we harnessed the viable and lucrative ones for the sake of tourism. It’s
so pathetic that our farmers are still using farming implements used by our
great grandfathers. The governors, rather than depending solely on the federal
allocation should also be mandated to follow suit as regards diversification of
the IGRs in their respective states to enable them not to see the continued
payment of the #18000 minimum wage as a far-fetched concernment.
Most importantly, right now our leaders are expected to note that
Nigeria requires meritocracy towards actualizing her anticipated change. People
ought to be considered important and relevant based on their abilities and
competence rather than their wealth, social statuses or political affiliations.
Inter alia, the electorate on their part must desist from cantankerous
lifestyle. We can’t continue sitting on the fence and expect miracles to
happen. More so, we ought to learn how
to use civil language while tendering lamentations, criticisms, protests,
commentaries and what have you, if truly we pray and earnestly seek for a
salvaged Nigeria. At least the political wills being showcased by this
administration deserve some credit or kudos; thus let’s exercise a little faith
while we wait, after all Rome wasn’t built in a day. Think about it!
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