NIGERIA @56; MAKING NIGERIA GREAT AGAIN.

Sometimes referred to as the "Giant of Africa", with a population of over 170 million, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country; a quarter of all Africans are Nigerian. It is a regional economic, political and military superpower in west Africa, is blessed with abundant wealth from crude oil, natural resources and solid minerals. Its nationals are leaders in arts,science,finance and literature. Professor wole soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel prize in literature, Dr Ngozi okonjo-iweala is the former managing director of the world bank, mr Femi Adeshina is the president of Africa development bank, Taiwo oyedele is a tax expert in PWC one of the big four accounting firm in the world.e.t.c. Despite having all the prerequisites to become a superpower, Nigeria staggers from one crises to another. After ten military coups, three heads of government assasinated, three ruinous decades of military dictatorship in which agriculture was abandoned, and a civil war that claimed a million lives, Nigeria is still struggling to fulfill its vast potential.

ISSUES AND WAY FORWARD. From the preface above which was taken from the work of max siollun, we may conclude that the older generations have failed us. But the purpose of this writeup is not to cast blames but rather to learn from history and understand where we are coming from. This is a country that started his journey politically as far back as 1914 when the entity called Nigeria was almagamated to suit the interest of our colonial master. The first prime minister of this nation describe Nigeria as a country that only existed on paper, while others affirm that it is a mere geographical expression. Finding ourselves in this present situation where we have ethnicity problems, bad leadership, low moral values, poor educational system, a recess economy, high rate of unemployment, insecurity, infrastructural decay e.t.c. Should propel us (the Youths) for greater responsibilty and harnessing this information age to make our country Great AGAIN.

The solutions to these problems are:

1. EDUCATION: The problem of our economy and moral values can be solved by massive and purposeful spending in the educational sector. An educational system that have a realistic link with industries, research institue and the town will always ensure that 1.8million graduates joining the labour market every year are skilled 21st century manpower.
Also, by providing 1%-2% higher educational loan for students who want to attend any federal or state higher institutions of learning but cannot afford the fee. Interest and repayment on such loans should only start when such individual is gainfully employed, and his income should be exempted from personal income tax until the full payment of the loan, which will mitigate against the 71% poverty rate in our country by having 99% of our citizens been educated.
Also of importance is the independence of vibrant students' union in our various campuses. Unionism should be a trainning ground for Nigeria youths and not means for management to ruin their future with suspension,rustication and shutting down campuses because of genuine protest by the students.


2. THE ECONOMY: It is no longer news that our economy is in recession. This is due to the fact that the economy shrink by -0.36% in the first quarter of this year and -2.06% in the second quarter of the year,significant drop in the output and price of crude oil,slight decrease in non-oil sector growth, the banning of 41 items on forex trading and ultimately the delay that characterized the passing and implementation of the 2016 fiscal year budget.
It is neccessary that at this point the government must spend his way out of recession by reflating the economy with its various palliatives such as the feeding of primary school pupils, providing soft loans for graduate, capital intervention project and the immediate employment of 500 graduates as teachers. We can take a cue from the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act of 2009 in which over $789 billion was expended to direct spending in infrastructure, education, health, energy,federal tax incentives, expansion of unemployment benefits and other social welfare provision to stimulate the economy after the global economy meltdown in the united states. Right now the reality is starring at us as unemployment as risen to over 13%, inflation rate is 17.1%, the CBN MPR is over 10% and a dollar to our naira is over #400 at the parallel market. Aside spending our way out of recession the bank rate should be reduce to a single digit rate, tax breaks should be available for companies producing here and hiring our graduates,tax breaks for low income earners and the diversification of our economy beyond agriculture but must also include solid minerals, natural gas, service sector, industralization and manufacturing international competitive products. Funds are required to move out of recession. Aside our statutory IGR, public assets such as Nigeria railway corporation and Nigeria port authority can be dispose off instead of trying to sell off our asset in the oil industry. The danger in selling off our interest in this oil facilities is that the price of crude oil will still peak up and it will be unwise to sell it off while the price is low.

3. POWER: presently the country is generating electricity which is below 4000MW as against 15,000- 20,000MW required to support businesses and help the economy. According to a report Nigeria is currently ranked 167 out of 189 of countries with ease of doing business. Electricity is a major factor in that report. The government should take advantage of clean and renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydropower which help in reducing the problem of global warming. Investment in these sources of energy will creates the job of the future for our teeming youths and give us the necessary energy require to compete in the global market.


4. SECURITY: With the current trend of insecurity both in our country and the world at large. Boko haram have been ranked the most deadliest group in the world, the fulani herdmen are invading and killing innocent people, Niger Delta Avengers have succeded in halting our daily production of oil and the biafrains are agitating for their independence. The government should not negotiate out of fear, but must never fear to negotiate. In having a secure Nigeria the agitation for restructuring should be welcome. Restructuring Nigeria economically, politically,fiscally and most important institutionally which should be stronger than any individual in fighting corruption. Another aspect of securing our people should involve establishing community policing in other to bring security closer to the people. The geniueness of the biafrians agitation should be carryout by means of a referendum which clearly indicate that our almagamation is negotiable. The Nigeria army have gotten the best out of the bokoharam group, but ideologies are not defeated with guns, they are defeated by better ideas, a more attractive and compelling vision.


5. LEADERSHIP: Finally, the most important aspect of making Nigeria Great Again is leadership. We require leadership from the three arms of the government. Leadership that is strong enough to put forward and pass the petroleum industry bill(PIB), gender equality bill,electoral reform, constitutional amendment, invest powerfully in science and technology , passing the ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL, establishing courts for hearing corruption cases , inter-relationship between different anti.corruption agencies and spending on our military to be the best in the world. Leadership also requires the participation of all citizens of this country. Change is not something that happen every four years of election, but rather it requires active participation of our educated youth in the Nigeria project. Change is not just trending hashtags but aslo requires taking action, is not just having passion but also strategy, is not putting your faith in a politician to change everything but holding the politician responsible for his stewardship. Above all change requires your contribution in Nation building.


Right now let stop the blame game and all hand should be on deck to revive this country and MAKE NIGERIA GREAT AGAIN and let's start seeing a bright future. For our country. YES WE CAN!

God bless the FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. JEGEDE ABAYOMI S. (JAS). PART 4. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING. OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY,ILE-IFE. NIGERIA.

be right back fellas