"Over the course of history, Nigerian leadership have gotten enough opportunity to better up and strengthen the country’s economic and social life"
The first being the period of oil boom of the 70s, a period when Nigeria got enormous wealth from oil sells so much that the then military head of state General Gowon declared that “money is not Nigerian problem, but how to spend it “. Followed this declaration was the wasteful spending on frivolous programs such as the FESTAC, the Udoji and the massive importation of cements which creates an armada of ships in the shores of the Nigerian sea as if the whole country is going to be reconstructed among others. This really has nothing to do with the betterment of the lives of a common man, especially the poverty ridden aftermaths of the Nigerian civil war. It would have been better if a solid foundation was created for the post civil war Nigeria were justice, fairness and equity prevailed and be the driving force for a united and prosperous nation, a Decree would have been enacted for a countrywide sustainable infrastructure and industrial development using the enormous revenue accrued from the oil boom, apart from the “no Victor no Vanquished” declaration after the civil war and 3rs programs of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, there would have been more policies and programs that would prevent further agitation for secession which in the long run will kill the Biafran spirit among young and old and the seeming agitations from other tribes, a justifiable formula for equitable distribution of the country’s revenue from God endowed resources among federating units and a sincere commitments for a judicious utilization of the revenue for the benefit of Nigerians of all races, tribes, religion and status to better their lives and prevent the spread of artificial poverty would have been consolidated. Unfortunately these hasn’t been done, and all the available money were mismanaged.
The returned to civilian rule of the 1999 which brought Chief Obasanjo as Nigerian 4th Republic elected President would have been a blessing and a relief to Nigerians more enough if privileges were not being abused, the then leadership ignored several issues of national importance and pursue what’s mainly ethnic, personal and self-serving agendas. The 1999 constitution which was a product of Nigerian military brass would have been rewrite to suit democratic settings, issues that can holistically deal with the Nigerian diverse nature with fairness would have been amended to prevent prevailing grievances of suspicious marginalization, north-south divide and other related problems, revenue sharing formula would have been rewrite to prevent further agitations, the justice system would have been repeal to thwart today’s rottenness, states and local governments joint account system would have been abolished to prevent the prevailing abuses of the third tiers autonomy by the state governors, the law enacted for the provision of the National Assembly would have been rewritten to create unicameral legislature with representatives cut across Nigerian constituencies to reduce unnecessary cost and abuse of office by the bicameral system, laws, Decrees and Acts that established Nigerian security outfits would have been reenacted to provide for Nigeria a disciplined, selfless and dedicated securities we can be proud of worldwide, there would have been a provision in the constitution for death penalty and prompt execution of looters of our common pool, our educational system would have been made to be among the world best system, with progress in research development and innovation, a robust and sustainable economic policies would have been put in place with varying visions for an economic prosperous Nigeria, there would have been an impartial employment opportunities to cater for Nigerians of all races, tribes, religion and status, there would have been a workable and sustainable government policies and programs that can cater for the welfare of the downtrodden, the aged and destitute, it would have been better if the Single Treasury Account policy have been started since then, and consolidated so much that there is little or no available public funds in sight for the treasury looters to siphoned at will and with impunity. But here, reverse is the case, these expectations were not met.
After the demised of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, the Jonathan led government a successor to the Late President Yar’adua refused to continue with the good work of salvaging Nigerian economic and social life his predecessor started. Jonathan out of shared incompetency left the country at the mercy of vampires who are poised to siphon every Naira accruable to the country at the detriment of the majority Nigerians. They squandered the country’s wealth to the level of almost bringing the country to economic collapse. Subsequently, they allowed Boko Haram to prosper, and the unfortunate reemergence with full force of armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, arm banditry and other societal menace subjecting people to deplorable condition with devastating humanitarian crisis including lost of lives and properties. Funds meant to deal with the resurging security threats were massively looted. Notwithstanding, this period marked an epoch when Nigeria got enormous wealth from the sells of oil like never in the history of the country. It would have been better if the leadership continue with the good work of Yar’adua by implementing all his blueprints and initiate more that can better up the Nigerian state and the citizens, there would have been judicious utilization of the huge revenue at the country’s disposal to prevent massive looting that took the country aback, security of lives and properties of Nigerians would have been given premium to thwart prevailing security breaches and humanitarian crisis, the revamp of Nigerian ailing industries and reviving of agriculture and solid minerals would have been easier using the enormous oil revenue driven, Nigerian failing power sector would have received full executive intervention and commitment to boost output and sustainability, there would have been a redoubled efforts in roads and rail network constructions across Nigeria, established robust economic base that can withstand the test of recession and other economic downturns. These and lots more were auspiciously ignored and the much talked economic, political and social problems kept prevailing.
The 2015 general election brought a government with change agenda as it’s core vision, one of the promises of the Buhari led government is to change the wrongs perpetrated against Nigeria and Nigerians by the past administrations. After its inauguration, the government swung into action to deal with corruption and its promoters, as its viewed to be the major setback against Nigerian economic, political and social development. This single fight generated enormous hype, with those against and for expressing divergent views, this onerous task was used to paint the government black by elements of Nigerian destruction, most of these people were so afraid of the aftermath of investigation as they were called to account for their stewardship and usually ended up being locked up in prison remand, and bailed days or months after stringent bail conditions were met. The government finds it difficult to achieve much out of it’s myriad of promises as these saboteurs and corruption ridden elites are fighting back with all the forces in their disposal to prevent their ouster and irrelevance. The expectations was that Nigerians would for ones give their trust and exercise patience with Buhari led government to use its methodology to tackle Nigerian problems as promised. Today most Nigerians were fed up with the government, with varying protests against devastating hunger, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, political uncertainties, economic downturn, disunity among others. People also were conspired and instigated to create confusion, and unnecessary agitations to heat up the polity and thwart any effort at stabilizing the country. Some are even wishing the president death or while alive asking him to resign. The truth of the matter here is that, Nigerians of all walks of life are the enemies of themselves, it would have been better if we use the rare and precious opportunity gotten to support the administration’s effort to right the years long wrongs. Unfortunately, today the hatred Nigerians have against positive change have amassed so much that the president was not left unharmed, he is currently in London receiving treatment on sickness rumored to be a result of poisoning. O my country! These are the opportunities we have long for, since the past ones were not judiciously utilized, but our irrational behavior and thinking will never allow us to see light set at the end of the tunnel.
Notwithstanding, it’s not too late to put our hands together to support our leaders effort to better our Commonwealth, Nigeria is for all of us, we must all work towards its unity and development. Restructuring and secession is not the way forward, good leadership is the needed ingredient that can drive the nation forward and address all grievances. Buhari/Osinbajo’s administration need our support and fervent prayers, they have enough good to offer for the country and the citizens, only the patience can testify. Arise o countrymen!
mumarlere@gmail.com
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