₦airaland Forum

President Tinubu took on the office of the President on May 29, 2023. He declared a removal of subsidy in his speech and this created a controversy. One cannot be sure if Tinubu's declaration was an immediate order or if it was a developing order. What was noticed, was a panic from Nigerians which resulted in chaotic queues at fuel stations nationwide. Analysts declared his decision as hasty, others say decision should have been implemented with consultation. Whatever the case, the decision has been made and Nigerians feel the discomfort of Tinubu's decision.

Petroleum is the heart of business activity in the country. No one relies on any other energy source. A decision made on this natural product affects literally every thing you can imagine. This is where the problem is. Citizens have to make tough choices based on a "Commodity". What they consume, where they go and what they do in their daily life is determined by a commodity - " Petroleum". There goes a saying - "Teach me how to fish, do not give me fish" . This statement describes the subject of this article - the "Teachings" and the "Training" of Tinubu's governance. One may wish to call it "Personal Economics 101" or "Personal Banking 101" - which ever pleases your heart, persons are training to become self-sufficient and economical. Nigerians are used to the "Mother and Child" treatment of the Government and the new policy of "Father and Child" is being perceived as punishment for an offence they do not know of. Many despise this new policy and want it reversed to one which is more familiar and comfortable. Persons during many comedic-stage performances, have demonstrated a desire for former Presidents to return, as they deem former government administrations, favourable compared to the existing one. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, saw the sustainable need for a "Mother and Child" administration. He probably sensed if the feeding bottle were taken away, the baby, would cry. This act of sensitivity informed his decision to retain the fuel subsidy even if the country crashed, for the feelings of Nigerians are more important than the assets the country hold. Nigerians also concurred - as long as they were not the sacrificial lambs.

The country's administration is run with emotions than with practicality and for many decades, this system of practise has resulted to fiscal problems such as deficit and debts. Advocates suggest a rigid governance if the country truly seeks a solution to these problems - therefore, a call for a Leader who is radical. One, who will steer the ship to the path of "Needs" rather than the path of "Wants". It is indeed clear, Nigerian do not know the difference between a "Need" and a "Want", hence the call for a Leader who would show the people the way.

It is no surprise, life is going through a pre-evolution phase. Persons are making wise decisions - some embracing Agriculture, a neglected sector. Sometimes, tough decisions make tough people if willing. This does not mean a support for the current discomfort faced by Nigerians but rather, a support for proper governance. Proper governance means; providing basic amenities, services and security for the people. One must understand PRIORITISATION. In a bid to provide all basic amenities and services to the people, all stakeholders including the citizens must understand the current status of their country and acknowledge the hard facts, that these amenities and services will not be feasible. The country's economic status is tagged "DEVELOPING", given the existing statistics. One cannot possibly wish for an immediate standard of living of a developed country in a "developing" country of this kind. Therefore, the country can only afford to fund "INFRASTRUCTURE" instead of "CONSUMPTION" that Nigerians have enjoyed over time. In no situation, can both a "Need" for infrastructure and a "Want" for consumption be provided for at the same time, given the current financial status of the country. This situation is described best with this statement - "You cannot eat your cake and still have it".

Theorists write to the current discomfort faced in the country - they address the fundamental issues with facts and figures. A blueprint for development sometimes is easier written than implemented. Why this is? It is simply because no one truly sees the future. You are only as knowledgeable as your yesterday. Therefore, no manifesto truly describes the outcome of tomorrow except if the writers of such are Psychics. Tinubu's decision to remove subsidy could not have been done better, for no one knows best, the right strategy to make a country better. The Government system is a complex system of wires and you need be, a "GOOD" Technician to pull the right wires. Only the creator of the conduit box can be the "GREAT" Technician for the device that which he created, he knows best how to handle. No existing President have sufficient foundational understanding of the problems their countries face therefore, such Leader can only perform a trial and error. If a Leader does solve the problems of a country that he did not create, then he must be great.

The hidden training of Tinubu's administration is in one's daily experience. Indirectly, the Government is training the people to become active players than receivers. Even though, it is the Government's responsibility to provide for the citizens, the circumstances do not allow Government fully deliver on such promise therefore, the call for citizens to fend for themselves in the areas the Government lack capacity.

This is a deep and well thought out analysis. Thank you for sharing OP.

May God bless Nigeria for ever!

kayjordan:
President Tinubu took on the office of the President on May 29, 2023. He declared a removal of subsidy in his speech and this created a controversy. One cannot be sure if Tinubu's declaration was an immediate order or if it was a developing order. What was noticed, was a panic from Nigerians which resulted in chaotic queues at fuel stations nationwide. Analysts declared his decision as hasty, others say decision should have been implemented with consultation. Whatever the case, the decision has been made and Nigerians feel the discomfort of Tinubu's decision.

Petroleum is the heart of business activity in the country. No one relies on any other energy source. A decision made on this natural product affects literally every thing you can imagine. This is where the problem is. Citizens have to make tough choices based on a "Commodity". What they consume, where they go and what they do in their daily life is determined by a commodity - " Petroleum". There goes a saying - "Teach me how to fish, do not give me fish" . This statement describes the subject of this article - the "Teachings" and the "Training" of Tinubu's governance. One may wish to call it "Personal Economics 101" or "Personal Banking 101" - which ever pleases your heart, persons are training to become self-sufficient and economical. Nigerians are used to the "Mother and Child" treatment of the Government and the new policy of "Father and Child" is being perceived as punishment for an offence they do not know of. Many despise this new policy and want it reversed to one which is more familiar and comfortable. Persons during many comedic-stage performances, have demonstrated a desire for former Presidents to return, as they deem former government administrations, favourable compared to the existing one. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, saw the sustainable need for a "Mother and Child" administration. He probably sensed if the feeding bottle were taken away, the baby, would cry. This act of sensitivity informed his decision to retain the fuel subsidy even if the country crashed, for the feelings of Nigerians are more important than the assets the country hold. Nigerians also concurred - as long as they were not the sacrificial lambs.

The country's administration is run with emotions than with practicality and for many decades, this system of practise has resulted to fiscal problems such as deficit and debts. Advocates suggest a rigid governance if the country truly seeks a solution to these problems - therefore, a call for a Leader who is radical. One, who will steer the ship to the path of "Needs" rather than the path of "Wants". It is indeed clear, Nigerian do not know the difference between a "Need" and a "Want", hence the call for a Leader who would show the people the way.

It is no surprise, life is going through a pre-evolution phase. Persons are making wise decisions - some embracing Agriculture, a neglected sector. Sometimes, tough decisions make tough people if willing. This does not mean a support for the current discomfort faced by Nigerians but rather, a support for proper governance. Proper governance means; providing basic amenities, services and security for the people. One must understand PRIORITISATION. In a bid to provide all basic amenities and services to the people, all stakeholders including the citizens must understand the current status of their country and acknowledge the hard facts, that these amenities and services will not be feasible. The country's economic status is tagged "DEVELOPING", given the existing statistics. One cannot possibly wish for an immediate standard of living of a developed country in a "developing" country of this kind. Therefore, the country can only afford to fund "INFRASTRUCTURE" instead of "CONSUMPTION" that Nigerians have enjoyed over time. In no situation, can both a "Need" for infrastructure and a "Want" for consumption be provided for at the same time, given the current financial status of the country. This situation is described best with this statement - "You cannot eat your cake and still have it".

Theorists write to the current discomfort faced in the country - they address the fundamental issues with facts and figures. A blueprint for development sometimes is easier written than implemented. Why this is? It is simply because no one truly sees the future. You are only as knowledgeable as your yesterday. Therefore, no manifesto truly describes the outcome of tomorrow except if the writers of such are Psychics. Tinubu's decision to remove subsidy could not have been done better, for no one knows best, the right strategy to make a country better. The Government system is a complex system of wires and you need be, a "GOOD" Technician to pull the right wires. Only the creator of the conduit box can be the "GREAT" Technician for the device that which he created, he knows best how to handle. No existing President have sufficient foundational understanding of the problems their countries face therefore, such Leader can only perform a trial and error. If a Leader does solve the problems of a country that he did not create, then he must be great.

The hidden training of Tinubu's administration is in one's daily experience. Indirectly, the Government is training the people to become active players than receivers. Even though, it is the Government's responsibility to provide for the citizens, the circumstances do not allow Government fully deliver on such promise therefore, the call for citizens to fend for themselves in the areas the Government lack capacity.

like Training Day right?

A country of training.

🤦‍♂️

Anither563:
This is a deep and well thought out analysis. Thank you for sharing OP.

May God bless Nigeria for ever!

It's a pleasure!