First and foremost, what do I mean by
21st century Nigeria? The word 21st
century is now ubiquitous and
superfluous in any political and
economic dialogue but its significance
have not diminished nor become
pliable.
21st century has been called the
century of possibilities and at one point
it has been called the African century.
The 21st century is anticipated to be a
century that Africa will put her house in
order and take her place under the
sun. Nigeria being the largest economy
and most populous in
Africa is expected to be in the
vanguard.
The antecedent century was marked
with African humiliation of conquest by
European invaders, swiveled around
slavery and colonialism. Therefore with
the emerging 21st century, Africans in
general and Nigeria in particular must
assert themselves with innovative
breakthroughs and scientific ideas in
high technology, modern education
and high standard of living to
achieve sustainable freedom and true
independent.
All things being equal, it is necessary, if
not indispensable that the 21st century
Nigeria must be a century of
possibilities and political rebirth
consolidated with enlightenment and
optimum economic development.
Buhari and Jonathan
So, whatever happens in Nigeria
politically could determine the
sustainability of the country’s progress
in 21st century,
Nigeria is gearing and getting ready for
an important 2015 election in
February. The two rivalry parties,
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its
major opposition, All Progressives
Congress (APC) have finally produced
their presidential candidates. The
incumbent Nigerian President Jonathan
of PDP will be challenged by retired
General Buhari of APC.
This is a serious election due to the
circumstances that Nigeria found
herself. Nigeria has surprise both her
friends and foes on her economic and
political sustainability especially on her
continue existence as a corporate
entity. Contrary to the proposition
forwarded and propounded by
naysayers Nigeria must continue to
exist as a united country beyond their
2015 prediction of disillusion and
meltdown. That is where the question
of leadership comes in; Nigeria needs
an intelligent, prudent, reliable, patriot,
peaceful and unity conscious leader.
President Jonathan or General Buhari:
who is the best candidate suited to be
called the leader of 21st century
Nigeria and who can lead Nigeria to the
promise land. As I have aforementioned
Nigeria is in a unique position.
Economically speaking and despite the
falling oil price, Nigeria has achieved an
affirmative and quantifiable
macroeconomics stability. Nigeria at
the moment is the largest economy in
Africa, no matter how you look at it, it is
a great achievement. The economy is
projected to grow at above 5 percent
and inflation rate is below 9 percent
and attraction of foreign investments
continues.
Although, the nosedive of oil price is
nibbling on the strength and value of
naira due to overvalue US dollar and
fervent aggressive currency
speculators, the streams of foreign
investments have not waned. Nigeria
continues to have its low debt ratios
which make it attractive to investors
and inducement to leverage capital.
On the other side, Nigeria has some
traceable and intractable problems with
poverty and unemployment. The huge
issue of Boko Haram and its destructive
tendencies are threat to political
stability especially in the north east of
Nigeria in particular and the entire
northern Nigeria in
general.
The triumph over corruption must be
comprehensive and long term. The
defeat of corruption becomes
sustainable when the political and
social infrastructures are set up and
effectively managed. The civic
institutions including the security
apparatus, courts and media must be
independent and incorruptible. The
citizens must be empowered to
participate in creating a corrupt free
society. The clergy, schools and moral
leaders must be employed in the
eradicating corruption. Our children
and next generation of Nigerian leaders
must be taught in schools on how
corruption annihilates and minimize the
wealth and wellbeing of a nation.
Nigeria needs a leader that
understands and formulates economic
policy that can be effectively
communicate to investors and can be
able to speak the language of
economics to capitalists and potential
investors. Nigeria needs a leader of
purpose that can unite the country’s
diverse population for the greater good
of our country. Nigeria needs a
visionary leader that comprehends how
the 21st century world works and
understands that a local action and
decision have an international
implication.