Alabitrends..com
By: Alabi A. Oluwatosin

AWAITING ANNIVERSARY OF PURPOSIVE CHANGE
(AAPC)

Fellow Nigerians, it is unfortunate that we have nothing to celebrate as it remains two months to mark the one year anniversary of the ‘’Go slow government which took over last year May. Presently, the administration’s modus operandi contradicts everyone’s expectation. As usual, even in the ruins of disaster, Nigerians are known for their habitual glimmer hope. I must say, it is totally unjust for any government to activate the masses on “OYO” mode. Should the current administration have easily forgotten their purpose of governance; as a true Nigerian, let me remind them of what the masses want as a CHANGE.

As expected, Nigerians want a transformation that manifest through sound health, good education, technological progression, vibrant socioeconomic
policies and provision of excellent social amenities as change. Interestingly, the above mentioned are shaped by a political change.

Nigeria should learn from the Asian tigers that took the bull by the horn to transform their countries from grace to grace. The likes of Singapore, china, Malaysia, and Dubai were once ambitious to become successful like Nigeria in the past.

One of the most memorable political revolutions in history is that of Singapore. As hopeless and helpless they were, wallowing in abject poverty without a single natural resources to capitalize on, after severing ties with Malaysia in 1965, they turned a new leaf and work tirelessly to make ends meet. Necessary decisions and policies were setup to nurture their nation from infant to maturity stage. Such transformational credit
must be given to the independent founding father of Singapore, Lee Kwan Yew, a People’s Action Party leader whose diligent effort paid off in transiting a lonely island from 3rd world to first world country. But here in Nigeria, it is easier said than done.

Over the years, we kept listening to the same cock and bull stories publicly administered by our politricksians. They inherited and have mastered the art of fallacy from their “Political ancestors,” where change is the key content of their promises but tagged with assorted names. What baffles me most is that the masses easily fall for their “political campaign harangue” and never open up to detect a scrap from original just like the so called made in Aba and made in China products.

Recently, I stumbled upon one story written on a Nigerian newspaper that some ex-politicians are realigning to form a new party against 2019 upcoming elections – definitely, they are latest promising groups of ‘’change tsunamis’’ on board. Well am not surprised to see another form of old wine packaged in a new bottle, since it’s a political custom and tradition. Caveat emptor; Nigerians Beware!

A Chinese statesman, Deng Xiaoping has said it all that, “it doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white, if it catches a mice, it is a good cat”.

Advisably, Nigerians should step up their games by using pre-election power they have by chance to thoroughly scrutinize the would-be politicians that are to collect baton of leadership, either from North or
south or wherever, as the case maybe.

Without much verbiage, we are now in the 10 th month of Action Progressive Congress regime -- another instrument of ‘change’ that arrived after a long campaign journey. The expectation of the masses is
very high to the extent that some almost gave up all they had in their possession while jubilating. Meanwhile, the government that they thought will hit the ground running ended up hitting the ground flying. But I guess the administration shouldn’t take much of the blame because they are victim of circumstance.

The battle is yet to start, but Nigerians are already getting tired. There is a saying that two eyes sees more than one. The Buharis’ government should attend to far cry of the masses by employing the hands of talented Nigerians to work, both home and abroad in order to fulfill it change campaign promises. Zeal without knowledge is like a runaway horse.

Nigerian intellectuals with foresight have mentioned earlier, that the nation’s economy is in coma, and it needs economic surgeons to get it revived. To be Precise, the economic sector is not alone in this pathetic condition. I think everything which revolves around the government need serious attention. Well, I will like to buttress their points by advising the government to ‘’practicalise more than they theorize’’. Permit me to add this clichés; what is what doing is what doing well. Work done by government itself should speak more than the media outlets. The proof of the pudding should be in the eating.

Regrettably, this administration still lags behind in taking cognizance of problems bedeviling the country, which the masses earlier vouched, would have come to pass immediately they assume office. Such as bringing
dollars to it kneels before Naira, revamping the nation’s economy, reducing unemployment rate, uncast the spell on education sector and recuperate the epileptic power supply.

Although there are too many irons in the fire, and pressure is too much for president Buhari’s government to bear. I suggest that the government
should tackle the problems based on their priority.

First of all, the government should revamp the nation’s economy by replacing the inimical policies with vibrant ones. They should stop the local market and the mighty local industries from inflating the price of products that are not affected by economic stampede. The economic hardship situation is getting out of hand. Nigerians are taking anesthetic pills for pain of an injury sustained not by them. The government should
welcome more investor and create a perfect enabling environment for their business to thrive. More so, the government should tighten the country’s border to curtail the frivolous habit of importing finished goods that are domestically producible in Nigeria, such as toothpicks and pencils. Such move will kick start production in excess, strengthen the naira and make Nigeria less dependent on foreign goods.

Secondly, power supply demand in Nigeria outweighs it supply. The reason is not far-fetched. Recently, the power generation output drastically dropped from 5000MW to 2,841MW. There is no doubt, the epileptic power supply has left small and large scale industries with no options than to source for alternative power supply at all cost, in order sustain their business. No wonder, business organizations are folding up day by day. Especially small scale businesses. The unquestionable degree of power failure has made Nigeria one of the largest generating set importers in the world, despite the abundant source of energy available. There are lots of complicated issues in Nigeria’s power sector. The government’s body language against corruption is yet to reflect on the nation’s power reformation. Power supply stability is as important like a cog wheel. Not that it failure has only given more room to economic disaster, but have also done irreparable damages to lives and properties too. With the unfriendly nature of business environment and power supply in Nigeria, any attempt to setup an industry is at the investor’s detriment. That is why foreign investors are scared to tread the part of Nigeria’s business environment. The more the necessary action supposedly taken to recuperate power is delayed, the greater the shortfall in power supply.

Thirdly, unemployment rate should be reduced to it barest minimum. The present administration should encourage the reopening of industries that folded up due to economic insecurity coupled with ill-natured legal business policies, and create more industries capacious enough to contain the battalions of graduate that gallivant the street in search for job. Most importantly, the government should shun nepotism and ensure that job seekers are employed on meritocratic bases. The administration should also pull their weight behind encouraging and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at all cost, in order to boost the nation’s economy and diminish unemployment rate.

Lastly, for a long time, Nigeria’s education system has been a laughing stock in academic environs. The cause of the laughter is none but the previous administrations inability to see above their protruded bellies, that our education sector is highly devastated. The wealthiest countries in the world like U.S.A, Russia, China, France and other developed nations valued
education inestimably, that is why they remain successful. The reasons cannot be far-fetched, because they actively supported their education
sector with adequate finance and effective educational policies, and have welcomed academic and research institutional contribution for national growth. I think If Nigeria must overcome the prevalent educational crises, such effort is imitable. Where much interest is bidden on money budgeted for wardrobe allowances, purchase of luxury cars and other unnecessary expenses in an administration, less contribution is expected from education in a national building. The receiver is as bad as the giver. The so called education sector we agitated for it revolution have a lot of internal complications. For instance, the number of empty-headed graduates convoked yearly at various Nigerian institutions is jaw-dropping. There is no doubt; challenging unemployment has been difficult, as a result of our Nigerian graduates dormant capabilities. In most cases, the incompetence of some our academic guardians are also a force to reckon with, thus
majority of them are push overs. Their incompetence has definitely affected the quality of graduates produce under their jurisdiction. Even if other sectors handle by our government falls in a pitiable state, education should have been an exception.

It’s no longer news, as our government is fully aware of masses’ wants. It has even become habitual for both government in power and the opposition to publicize their agendas in conformity with the masses wish,
but they lack the ability of though conversion to action. There is no government that is a not fallible, but the ability to redress is what matters. If at all this administration and it party is observant, they should have known by NOW that they have reached the point of no return. As have earlier mentioned, they are victim of circumstance. They have contested and have won through their slogan of ‘’CHANGE,’’ so they must rise to the masses expectation. More so, they should abstain from early stratagem on how and whom to call the short after 2019 governance, as we are still in 2016, with enormous task ahead to clear. Instead, thoughts should be raked towardsmaking ‘Naija’ a better nation.

This article will be incomplete without commending the effort of president Buhari’s administration on war against corruption, although, it is not close to zero tolerance. They have been assiduously working during the day and lucubrating in the night to rehabilitate the nation’s treasury and repatriate back looted funds into our nation’s empty vault, after suffering a huge financial rape from the past administrative robbers. I believe by now that the sword of Damocles is hanging over culprits head.

Another shocking discovery this year is the red alert of ghost workers, studded on the government’s payroll. I must admit this as an insidious financial drainage, designed with selfish interest to milk the nation’s coffer
dry. A Yoruba adage says “ ti iya nla ban gbe ni sanle, kekere yio si ma gun ori eni,” meaning that when one approaches bigger trouble, smaller ones usually reminds us of their presence. Without the Buhari administration’s alacrity to conduct early diagnosis on it financial expenditure, there is no doubt, the ghost workers would have been sharing from it hard earned revenue. No wonder the government is too parsimonious in spending. The 2016 padded rig-it or budget i mean, is the latest issue on every discussion platforms in town . Initially the budget size was N6.077trn but has now been reduced to N6.060trn after it re-examination and a difference of N17billion Naira was identified. At last we thank GOD for that. But i hope the recent scrutiny on money budgeted for each and every sectors and allocation formula for the 37 states is not another wuru-wuru to the answer?

visit Alabitrends..com for more

Expecting what? maybe water in Sahara desert

you guys voted for this change, so forget long epistle and enjoy your change.