WHAT NIGERIANS EXPECT OF THEIR NEW PRESIDENT

WHAT NIGERIANS EXPECT OF THEIR NEW PRESIDENT

It is clear from the just-concluded presidential elections that Nigerians have spoken. There is a clear need for redefinition of approach to national issues and Nigerians would not waste a vote to ensure that.                                                                                           

My take here is not to comment on the credibility or not of the polls, even the incumbent has conceded defeat anyway, and besides, I am not one to flog a dead horse. It is also not my desire to talk much about the fear that was literally palpable in the air leading to massive exodus of would-be electorates from one end of the country to another and in the process disenfranchising them. The same fear the crippled the nation’s economy, led to loss of about 50 lives according to the Nigerian human rights commission, and almost sent self-employed people to early economic graves.

I could not believe my ears when I learnt that, just a day after the results were announced and the incumbent conceded defeat, the stock sales on the floor of the exchange market was as high as about Nine Hundred Billion naira, moving the market higher with about 8%, the highest this year all over the world, with China in second position coming at a distant 5%. I mean if you did not understand the anxiety that preceded and followed the election, you can at least see how doused tension became when the president conceded defeat.

What exactly are we expecting of the new president of Africa’s largest economy, Africa’s largest democracy and indeed the much-touted giant of Africa?

1.     Declaration of National Emergency on the Power Sector

This sector has defied all logics and rescue plans since President Olusegun Obasanjo. It in no means imply that it is non-salvageable. We just have not got it right. That’s all. If Nigeria, according a Goldman Sach’s report, can have additional one or two hours of light every day, the economy could improve by additional 20%. That’s something to think about.

2.     Silencing of Insurgency and Insecurity

I would have loved to say annihilation of insurgents or terrorism, but I understand that, it takes an average of 27 years to completely wipe out terrorism, and the prognosis for Nigeria is even brighter at about 13 years. That’s to add to the fact that the destroyed towns have to be rebuilt and confidence of the dwellers restored. Be that as it may, if the new government can make operations and collaboration with ISIS very difficult for the local insurgents, then we might as well expect that it is possible to achieve annihilation within the set period, and we can bring back our girls.

3.     Creation of a System that makes Corruption very Difficult

I would also have loved to tag this: Wiping out corruption, but that is certainly a tough call, not impossible though. There are too many avenues for corruption to thrive in the country and that is a systemic failure. It takes reformation of the system only to forestall continuity. Besides, one of the many complaints of some electorates is that some of those who surround the president-elect and are indeed going to make his government are not clean. They are government officials who also have corruption questions to answer. It won’t be too much to ask that people should be asked to vomit the fortunes they have swallowed that belongs to the Nigerian people, will it?

4.     Refocusing of the National Economy

Everyone knows that the biggest economic issue with Nigeria is that, since oil, she lacks Economic Plan B (EPB). I must give kudos to the out-going government though for making frantic efforts to redirect the economy, the first I have really seen since my grown-up years. Mr President-elect, can we consolidate on this please? Can we start exploring the knowledge industry and agriculture, please?

5.     Sustenance of the Current Empowerment Programmes

Almost everything in Nigeria comes with the so-called Nigerian factor, but, there is a difference with the YouWin initiative, and I stand to be corrected on that ladies and gentlemen. If there is one thing I can applaud this out-going administration for, it is the fact that they won with the YouWin. Of course you might say it is because I am a proponent of entrepreneurship, but why shouldn’t I be? If we can create micro-jobs, we can at least satisfy physiological needs of people, and like the Yoruba adage goes: Tébi ba kurÒ ninu ìsê, ìsê bÙsé (if hunger is taken away from one’s need, one’s need is light). Please Mr President sustain the YouWin initiative, the various SME support schemes that are currently on-going, and further the creation of Micro, Small and Medium-scale industries initiatives.

6.     Surround Yourself With Thinkers, not Sycophants

If there was anything that President Obasanjo did right, it was that, those who surrounded him were technocrats of repute. Talk about Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Oby Ezekwesili, Charles Soludo, Femi Fani-Kayode (although this one shot himself in the foot), etc. Please tow this path. Nigeria is not in want of intellectuals, in fact, we are exporting them. Please select people who love Nigeria, and are geniuses in their own right. People that can form teams that live in thoughts, and act with results… not necessarily your kinsmen or those who didn’t vote for you, not those of your religion or politicians who do more talking than thinking. You won’t need so many politicians if you have these people.

To be continued…

See you.