THE CHANGE WE NEED
by Comr.
(Sen.) Nwuruku Olisa Alfred
A popular saying has it that change in
itself is the only permanent phenomenon in this universe. Adopting from the
backdrop, it could be rightly asserted that change occurs in every other aspect
of human endeavour; socially, economically, religiously and politically. In
Nigeria today, there has been tremendous political transformation basically
since the birth of the second quarter of the fourth Republic (2007) till date.
This change embedded in the transformation
agenda of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan/Sambo administration unarguably brought
revival in some desired directions, in both political and economic life of
Nigeria as a country.
Economically, Goodluck Jonathan’s
administration had been largely credited for reviving the major railways in
Nigeria, thus bringing about easier movement of both agricultural products and
people from remote areas to the cities where either those products are needed
or the services of such people desired.
Foreign investors and investment were also
massively encouraged through the devaluation policy, thus making Nigeria the
first and fasted growing economy in Africa, a stride never recorded before in
Nigeria. The youths and other Jobless Nigerians were massively employed through
the You-Win and Sure-P (Subsidy Reinvestment Programme). In fact, small scale investments
have been boosted through provision of soft loans and enabling environment to
operate, as exemplified by the automobile industries – Innoson Automobile
Nigeria Limited. The transformation Programme also introduced the remodelling
of Airports in Nigeria, Example, Dr. Akanu Ibiam Airport in the South Eastern
State of Enugu, now an International Airport.
The introduction of cashless policy by the
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration remains a giant stride made by the
administration. Now, the risk and burden involved in carrying cash from one
location to another has become a story of the past. Educationally, the
Goodluck’s administration recorded its best on the area of the creation of nine
(9) more Federal Universities in Nigeria; basically in states that lack such
Federal presence. This has reduced that usual stress Nigerians encounter in the
cause of seeking admission into universities and created Jobs for Nigerians.
The establishment and massive investment
in Almajiri Education System with about 185 Almajiri Schools constructed with
modern equipments also counts large in the educational achievement of Dr.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Finally, the introduction of Computer Based Test in
UTME in Nigeria was a right step in the right direction since education in
Nigeria is fast becoming digitalized.
In the health sector, one of the most
pronounced achievements of Jonathan’s administration has been the issue of the
extinction of the dreaded Ebola virus in Nigeria within the shortest period of
time that the disease was declared a world health issue.
Politically, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration
achieved a lot in the areas of promotion and practice of true democracy in
Nigeria, entrenchment of press freedom and introduction of thirty five percent
(35%) affirmative on women participation in politics. Following the successful
and peaceful conduct of the April 28th general elections in Nigeria,
the seat of the Presidency was keenly contested between the two mega political
parties of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposing All
Progressives Congress (APC). After the presidential poll, Retired General
Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner in a grand style victory, and songs of
victory were chanted by many Nigerians.
The question now is, can that much desired
change be actualized under General Buhari’s administration in the third quarter
of Nigeria’s fourth Republic?
In the course of General Buhari’s
campaign, many mouth-watering promises were made to Nigerians. Most pronounced
among the promises were the issues of security, featuring the Chibok girls and
Boko Haram insurgency as his core area of interest. On the area of Petroleum,
Buhari’s administration promised diversification of oil price in the world
market, building four refineries in four years (one for each year), reduction
in fuel price to N45 per litre and to stop importation of oil. In education
sector, General Buhari promised free education for all at all levels. He
further stated that his administration will kill and wipe out corruption in
Nigeria. Addressing the economic sector, General Buhari promised to create Jobs
for young Nigerians and payment of N5000 each to 25 million unemployed youths.
He promised that all NYSC members are to be earning N50,000 during service year
and one year after their national assignment. To answer the question of
Buhari’s preparedness to implement his campaign promises, it is just to cite
General Buhari’s statement in an interview with BBC on Sunday 4th April, 2015, when he told Nigerians
not to expect miracles from him when he assumes power on May 29th,
2015. He further admitted that the war against insurgency is on-going noting
that “for five, six years, the Nigerian law Enforcement Agencies, including the
Military, couldn’t secure 14 local governments. He further also admitted that
the cooperation of our neighbours, international community, the militancy and
all Nigerians is needed to combat the scourge in a shorter time.
Deducing from the above assertion and in
lieu of the administrative realities in Nigeria, it could be advised that even
as Nigerians hope to see much achieved under the administration, nigerians
should not approach it with extremism since change in itself is a gradual
process which means more than the ordinary political expression of the concept
“change”.
Deducing also from the achievements of
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, and the campaign promises of the present
administration, it becomes obvious that the area which still deserves much
attention is on the non-material dividends of democracy which includes amongst
others; respect to rule of law, fundamental human rights, equity and justice,
fairness, accountability, separation of power, check and balance and
strengthening of Nigerian institutions.
It is a very factual finding that since
the history of Nigeria’s independence and politics, there is no political party
that has received the support and trust of an average Nigerian than the ruling All
Progressive Congress (APC), especially when comparing the development of other
countries with that of Nigeria, but the ruling APC instead of working
everything humanly possible to vindicate itself from the eye of the masses/subjects,
instead played on the wisdom of Nigerians and lost the supports of her citizens,
especially those whose mandates got them where they are; making people believe
they voted them out of ignorance.
Therefore, General Buhari’s administration
should strive to make giant strides in this regard, even as he works towards
fulfilling his other campaign promises. He should also consolidate on the grand
style achievements of Jonathan’s administration on the area of infrastructural
and economic transformation. He should also as a matter of urgency and national
Development, look critically into the allowances payable to the National Youth
Service Corps members serving and unifying the interest of our National Unity
and service to humanity.
He should also as a matter of national unity,
allow the contributions, and rule of Democracy “the Government of the people by the people and for the people” to
play a critical and major role in his administration even as we continually
pray for the leadership of the country and clamour for his peace Agenda for
every tribe in Nigeria.
When this is achieved, the concept of
change must have been defined and appreciated by all Nigerians. To God be the
Glory!
Long
live NYSC!
Long
live Katsina State!!
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Submitted by:
Agent. Nwuruku
Olisa Alfred (Comr.)
KT/17B/1398
President,
NYSC Drug Free Club, Katsina State.
Phone
Numbers: 08163874963, 08121557602
Facebook:
Olisa Nwuruku Alfred
Instagram: nwurukuolisa
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