Seeking positive change
On May 29, 2023, amidst great expectations, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and 28 other elected officials from across Nigeria were sworn in as governors. All eyes were on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as they took the oath of office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
President Tinubu’s inaugural address touched on key areas, some of which are outlined in his election manifesto, “A New Hope 2023 — Plan of Action for a Better Nigeria”, including national security, economy, agriculture, power, It provided insight into the president’s plans for oil. gas, transportation, education, etc.
Nigeria is in dire need of positive change and while we may not have hit rock bottom yet, we have been in a difficult situation in recent years. A look at various economic indicators up to the end of the previous administration’s term reveals that Nigerians desire a better quality of life.
We must strive to witness the impact of positive change as soon as possible. As a nation, we all look to our leaders. I would also like to share my expectations for both the President and governors across Nigeria.
What to expect from the president
Fuel subsidy: This is like a rope wrapped almost tightly around our necks. Strong enough to restrain us, yet loose enough to allow us to continue breathing while restrained. President Tinubu briefly mentioned the issue in his inaugural address, but unfortunately, reactions to his speech included hoarding of petrol and arbitrary price hikes that led to queues for fuel. .
NNPC Limited has announced new pump prices for states to alleviate fuel scarcity. After that, there was another unofficial price increase.
Measures to reduce the impact of the abolition of fuel subsidies need to be made clearer. Furthermore, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the oil sector, including oil imports, exchange rate issues, and appropriate pricing. It is important to plan a refinery and aim for self-sufficiency in crude oil refining. Should we expect Nigeria to refine crude oil again?
Presidential Communication: I miss the days when former Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan held media parleys. One could argue that these sessions were staged as the personalities were briefed prior to the event. Whether this was the case is less important than the fact that those sessions took place. Open and responsible communication between the president and the people is critical. Media Parley brings transparency and accountability.
President Buhari has been very unsuccessful in connecting with the people. I hope we see a different approach from President Tinubu this time. I also hope that the president’s media aides engage constructively instead of resorting to attacks as if their actions reflect the president. People always criticize so I hope they can go up when others go down.
Security: This is one of the most important issues as insecurity can seem to be spreading to all parts of the country. There are terrorists here, bandits there, unknown armed groups there, and we begin to wonder how safe we are. Addressing various security threats across the country is of paramount importance. A major overhaul of the security architecture is needed to restore security and stability to Nigeria and address the challenges of terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity. Governors must also work with the federal government to achieve security goals.
National reorientation: The general elections held earlier this year revealed the tribalistic and intolerant tendencies of Nigerians, including elected and appointed officials. What happened to One Nigeria?
The government must address this behavior through education reform, starting with schools. Furthermore, it is vital that all states are fairly represented in the appointment of ministers and heads of government agencies. National reorientation efforts also require collaboration with governors.
Reducing Government Expenditures: The cost of governance in Nigeria is very high, from the salaries and benefits received by elected officials to the costs of maintaining governance structures and the resulting administrative inefficiencies. I look forward to the president setting an example in reducing costs at the federal level and for the states to follow suit.
Benefits can be achieved by consolidating federal agencies with overlapping objectives, implementing technology to improve processes, and reducing international travel and all the paraphernalia associated with it, to name a few. . And when the federal government collaborates with the private sector to improve operational efficiency and productivity, it must not have its hand in every pie.
For governor
State Viability: It is puzzling why so many states rely solely on federal allocations. Governors should explore opportunities to generate additional revenue. We often hear about Nigeria’s potential, but is that potential only vested in the federal government?
We can transform our states by leveraging their competitive advantages and developing capacity in key areas. For example, one state could become a medical tourism destination, while another could become the entertainment capital of Nigeria. All of our states are endowed with natural and human resources that we can enhance and benefit from. I know there are many more nuances to this expectation, but these ideas are very doable.
Recent constitutional reforms have given states the opportunity to enter previously forbidden areas, such as powers now on the Concurrent List. Imagine what states could do when they took advantage of opportunities like this.
If each state took responsibility for its own future, it would be better able to serve Nigeria as a whole, and perhaps the governors would not have to turn Abuja into housing for boys. I hope there will be no more excuses in the future.
Education: Globally, Nigeria has the highest proportion of out-of-school children, with more than 20 million children outside the school system. Even those who attend public schools receive substandard education. how did we get here?
State governments are responsible for primary and secondary education and it is imperative that they address the issues that have led to this situation. Also, considering that our country has a large population of young people, it is important to remember that many of them will arrive in the future without the basic knowledge and skills to succeed in society. Additionally, the increasing number of children out of school poses a social threat as they may be recruited for illicit purposes.
Further investment is needed in education, including improving teacher training and remuneration, properly equipping schools, and introducing relevant technology and materials. Effective monitoring and evaluation of educational standards is also required to ensure significant improvements in the quality of education. By allocating appropriate resources to education, governments can increase overall literacy rates, improve technical skills, and develop an educated workforce to meet the demands of the modern economy.
Local government autonomy: Local government is the closest form of government to the people. They play an important role in governance, including the development and maintenance of infrastructure, healthcare, markets, motor parks, etc. Many of the things we appeal to governors and presidents to do are under their authority.
Sadly, while local governments may be autonomous in spirit, in practice chairs are often bound by the governor’s orders, which limits their decision-making and enforcement. In many states, chairs still have to follow the direction of the governor, impairing their ability to effectively serve the public. Their autonomy should be respected and strengthened.
But local government chairmen should not be excused for this reason. The public should demand higher levels of accountability. The more you expect and demand, the more you will get.
Progress in Nigeria will not happen overnight, but we can demand daily actions that contribute to positive change. There are many other things that our elected officials can focus on and accomplish, but I feel that many of the issues I discussed could potentially be swept under the carpet. This is a problem. We must support our leaders while holding them accountable and demanding transparency in their actions.
As citizens, we have a responsibility to shape our future together with our leaders. Embrace the Citizen Bureau and become an active participant in our democracy. This is my view today.
Gbubemi Atimomo is a human resources and business consultant and entrepreneurship advocate in Lagos. He is the founder of SideHustleNG and convener of The Spirit of Enterprise (TSOE) initiative, an entrepreneurship advocacy platform.
Source: guardian.ng