For Wale Edun, it is thank you for your service — by Kayode Oyedeji

We may not know exactly the circumstances leading to his exit but his works speak for him.

He has helped the President steered Nigeria away from Harare and rescued Nigeria from bankruptcy.

The reforms are not easy. It takes courage and conviction to undertake delicate reforms that will alter the structure and dynamics of our economy for life and for good.

Floating and unifying the Exchange Rate is no mean task. Removing Energy Subsidy in a corruption riddled Country with trust deficit as Nigeria is not a child’s play.

It takes reformers with clear vision and lions heart to conceive and execute such delicate reforms. Politicians are reforms weary. It hurts their politics and make them less popular. Most reforms come with initial excruciating pains. They come with painful trends of inflation especially in the short run

You must have the mind and unusual brilliance of Adam Smith to leave key decisions in the economy to market forces. You must have the heart and bravery of Margret Thatcher to carry on against all odds.

Nobody loves inflation. It hurts hardwork. Nobody tolerates pains. No one willingly makes sacrifice for Country and others. The reforms initiated by the President and championed by Mr. Edun have come with pains and sacrifices that are inevitable and are ultimately profitable.

The process has not been perfect. The consequences have been bigger than imagined, tougher than expected, but the promises remain great.

Those reforms have come to stay. No one in his sense will reverse them. Reversing the reforms will only mean citizens have suffered in vain. The suffering, the cost of reforms are gradually paving way for economic gains, growth and development.

Reversing the reforms means turmoil, setback, retrogression and economic collapse.

Nobody applauds reformers anywhere. Only few with a third eye and can see beyond the obvious will appreciate the depth of his efforts and works. His task was daunting.

Nigeria has laid it’s hands on the plough and must not look back. We have paid the price for economic rejuvenation, progress and reinesacance. We must enjoy the benefits. Wale Edun has worked with the President to reverse dangerous economic trends that made Nigeria to only mint money to survive and to live live on artificial oxygen.

Nigeria remains a work in progress. Reforms are a process, not an event. It is always a turbulent process that will end, first in relief, then peace and abundance of well implemented. Edun has played his part.

The next phase of the reforms is about appropriating the gains. It must be done with equity.

The benefits of the reforms must be made to reach the common man, the working class. The benefits must not terminate at the level of “Statutory Allocation”. It must be made to enliven the ordinary Nigerian. His pocket, his disposable income must now begin to positively feel the impacts of the reforms. There must be accountability and due process at all levels and tiers.
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Another man, a young versatile Economist and a Tax Man, buzzing with enormous energy, will continue from where Mr. Edun stopped.

The journey has been challenging. Nigerians have had to pay more for a worthy adventure. Mr. Edun has served creditably.

As the reforms take shape, there can only be one word for the Reformer: gratitude. Yes, thank you Mr. Edun for your service..