What else do Nigerians expect from the President?, by Kola Amzat
Of all Nigerian successive leaders, President Bola Tinubu would go down in history as the most maligned, largely for daring to implement very tough policies-fuel subsidy removal and floating of the currency.
Not even Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida who serially frustrated and deceived the political class on his grandiose desire to return the country to democratic rule, a despicable reign climaxed with the annulment of 1993 presidential election generally believed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola, the Nigerian illustrious business mogul!
Nor Sani Abacha, the dark-goggled Army General who ruled the country with a personalized and ruthless killer squad headed by a sharp shooter, Sergeant Rogers with a mandate to neutralize all identified pro-democracy chieftains of NADECO!
By the time the curtains got drawn on Abacha regime, Pa Alfred Rewane, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Alhaja Suliat Adedeji had been dispatched to the world beyond, with Felix Ibru, Abraham Adesanya and others left incapacitated.
But, could the ex-Lagos state governor had done otherwise with parlous & prostate economy, as well as precarious state of nation infrastructures and uncertainty in political sphere that his administration inherited from the past governments?
Indeed, salute and applause go to the president for his resilience, courage, gut and unwavering determination & resolve in taking such bold decisions, as this writer strongly opined he would be vindicated in the fullest of time.
Back to this center-piece of this write-up: what else do we expect from the president?
With deep sense of humility and patriotism, he’d responded to clamour of generality of Nigerians to reshuffle the cabinet.
He didn’t only excuse the identified non-performing ministers from the cabinet, he also introduced new hands he’s convinced would collaborate with him to change the tide, as well as ensure turn-around in all facets.
To ensure new vigor and fervor in governance, the hitherto duplicated and inconsequential ministries-Sports, Niger Delta etc were either extinct or merge with new ministries where they’re expected to be more effective, functional and productive, as well as serve the nation better.
Of course, there is a cheering news in economy. Nigeria’s foreign reserves grew by a notable $5.57 billion over six months, rising from $33.04 billion on April 8, 2024, to $38.61 billion by October 3, 2024, underscoring the resilience of the country’s external position despite on-going global economic challenges and external factors.
On a related note, government have reduced the debt service ratio from 97% to 68% of revenue, providing more financial freedom to invest in essential social services like education and health care
Thirdly, the president has introduced a new dimension of promptness in the nation security architecture.
On account of his sustained and persistence order to security chieftains-Defense Ministers, National Security Adviser (NSA), Security Chiefs, Inspector General of Police (IGP), bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals are going through the worst phase in the country.
From all indications, the president perhaps practically sits on their necks!
Indeed, the scourges are been neutralized and decimated on daily basis, a laudable development that ensured respite and new lease of life for fellow countrymen and women in the North West, North East and North Central Geo-political zones.
Since the turn of 4th Republic in 1999, no federal authority has granted such huge financial deals to other two (2) tiers of governments in form of FAAC allocations than the present administration.
The president stoically followed up this initiative by approaching, as well as getting judgment from Apex Court for Financial Autonomy for the Local Government Authorities.
In the years ahead, Nigerians would be stunned at what this awesome initiative would turned out to be!
Fourthly, it’s also heartwarming and encouraging that the president is providing purposeful, resourceful and credible leadership by giving all Nigerians across the country genuine sense of belonging through fairness and equitable distribution of the nation resources, a development that has significantly lessened perennial and persistent agitations in South-East and even, South-South Geo-political zones.
It’s apparent that the president has been making deliberate and intentional efforts to re-integrate particularly South East region into the main stream of governance through key and strategic appointments, and other notable concessions, key infrastructures, as well as location of other key federal agencies in that region.
It’s also instructive to submit that with this administration, power and authority only flows from Aso Villa, a clear indication of a president that is really in charge and control, as well as been the symbol of sovereignty of the nation, unlike discordant tunes that characterized governance in the past.
There are also in place plethora of social intervention programs meant to address the need and concerns of all segments and cadres in the society-SMEs, youth groups, students, women groups, market women, farmers, vulnerable Nigerians, displaced people by natural disasters etc,
There are deliberate efforts to ensure every Nigerians are able to partake in the resources of the nation.
In Tinubu government, FCT, Abuja have boldly assumed its role as the nation capital with the incumbent minister, Nyesom Wike’s monstrous developmental foray in all facets, as well as in all the nooks and crannies of the city.
Of course, on the prompt and directive of the president, he has made FCT, Abuja a delight to the locals, as well as international community.
On a related note, there are legions of road networks construction and rehabilitation on-going all across the country, an indication of infrastructural renaissance and renewal, with the ultimate aim of supporting Nigeria desire for growth and development.
There are other milestones recorded by this administration within the space of 18 months in the saddle as under-listed:
These include construction of bridges, railways acrtoss the country, significant development in oil and gas sector and of course, commencement of audacious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway projects.
Deliberate efforts of the government has improved oil production to 1.71 million barrels per day, and two Foreign Direct Investments of over $500m have been signed.
The government has commenced the implementation of also Compressed Natural Gas Initiative meant to power the transportation sector and reduce costs. The president confirmed that this will save over N2tn a month, that is being used to import PMS and AGO.
Considering the commencement point of the administration about 18 months which in all intents & purposes was abysmal in all facets, and of course, the achievements chronicled above, there is no iota of doubt that there is a new direction, focus, urgency and purposefulness in governance.
Without feigning unappreciative of tough times and challenges citizenry are going through consequent upon the reforms which indeed are necessary, is it not better and an auspicious time we collectively rally round the president to see through this horrendous period?
Is it logical we repose trust and confidence in the president avowed commitment and bold declaration to turn-around the economy, as well as develop and proper the nation?
After-all, the president sits at the top of the country, an advantageous platform that enables him to have absolute knowledge of the nation much better than any other person.
So, if he’s promised that Nigerian would soon turn corner, we indeed need to have confidence in his judgment, instead of casting doubts and aspersions on the government programs and policies, a stance that would lead the nation no-where.
Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)
Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,
09077509348.
