The curtain is gradually drawing on 2017 and Nigerians are heaving a sigh of relief that the year that brought so much, pain and hardship is rolling to an end. They are optimistic that things are going to look up for the country particularly with its economy. Ordinarily, a new year brings renewed hope for individuals and even the nation. This is perhaps because many people pray for fresh start, new beginnings and make resolutions for positive change. Even, political leaders make pronouncements which spells good fortune for incoming year thus heightening citizens’ expectation from government in the new year. It is common sight on New Year eve to see multitude of people gather in places of worship to pray fervently for peace and prosperity for themselves and vis-a-vis the nation in the coming year. This call for divine intervention is to further reinvigorates hopes for a ‘prosperous’ new year.
Incontrovertibly, the outgoing year has been a challenging one for Nigeria and Nigerians; the harsh economic realities no doubt defined 2017. Government policies both at the state and national level did not serve as soothing balm from the scalding received from of the myraids of problems experienced by Nigerians. The festering problem of corruption which has clinched to the nation’s fabric like lichen has remained its worst nightmare and seems like it as come to stay with us forever. The anti-corruption crusade of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government is yet to bring about desired results.
The hope Nigerians had of a great nation and bright future via good leadership, is dampening as it seems the country is on a path to nowhere, moving in vicious circles. The sing song on the lips of the present administration is that it will take a ‘long time’ to clear up the mess created by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its 16years of governance. President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has been in the leadership saddle for more than two years now, but still passing bucks on the immediate past government of Goodluck Jonathan. The restoration process of the years that the cankerworm has eaten will take much longer than we anticipated, so we have been made to believe.
It will be unfortunate if the problems of 2017 cross over with us into 2018. The long queues at filling stations have resurfaced causing untold hardship despite the earlier spirit lifting assurance by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that fuel scarcity has become history.
Another problem which has refused to go that one prays should not accompany us into the new year, is the power supply challenge. There is still the problem of even distribution of electricity particularly in Kwara State by the the Ibadan Distribution Electricity Company (IBDEC) to households. While some areas within Ilorin metropolis enjoy supply power others have been living in darkness and suffering the attendant socio-economic consequence. This is a problem that should be adequately addressed for the state to experience economic development..
Another problem which must be arrested is the devaluation of naira, which has made prices of goods and services sky rocketed since ours is an economy that hugely depends on importation. Government at all tiers have been paying lip service to the Made-In-Nigeria policy as conducive environment has not been provided for local manufacturing industries and infant companies to thrive.
All these are in addition to malignant problems of poverty, insecurity, unemployment among others that have doused hope of Nigeria for a better year. Many people like me are eager to know what the future holds for the nation since the body language of our leaders isn’t saying much. I have however resorted to praying that the year 2018 will be better than the outgoing year for Nigeria.
In Kwara State, the expectations of the citizens are also high, it is the hope of the people that the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed led administration would live up to its billings and put smiles on the faces of Kwarans. Importantly, the salary arrears of local government workers must be looked into with the aim of finding lasting solution to the problem as promised by the state Governor. Infrastructural development should also be paid premium attention while all projects that has commenced must be completed in the interest of the good people of the state. The issue of insecurity in the state characterised by cultism, ritual killings, kidnapping, armed robbery among others, is burdensome and should be of concern to the state government. It is note worthy that development can only thrive in a peaceful environment. All these aforementioned problems and other challenges should not be a recurring decimal in the new year. The state government should also employ avenues of generating revenue, which will not compound the hardship people are facing.
It is however instructive, that our leaders realise that talk is cheap because they don’t raise the stakes. Actions speak louder than voice. Leaders at all tiers of government should fast track the implementation of populist agenda, which gave them victory at the polls. They should formulate and implement to the letters policies and programmes that can jump start the economy. The Buhari-led administration should think outside the box with the view of pulling the country out of its socio-economic and political doldrums.
Happy New Year in advance.
