The beginning of a new era (1)

Contd. from back page and sharing our space with individual and institutional corruption; the cankerworm that has eaten deep and become the most singularly potent bane of growth of our systems; absolutely nothing. The EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies have failed Nigerians if the truth must be told. If the promise to discourage and fight corruption would hold water, we would want to see pragmatic changes to the structures and operational modules of the agencies. Whatever, Nigerians would hold Mr. President to his words; he has told us he would discourage corruption and strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the extant anti-corruption agencies.

And again, our expectation is high, that along with the renewed hope package, the notion that we cannot enjoy uninterrupted power supply for days will be beaten by regular and affordable electricity supply across the country. It is not impossible; it is commonplace in our neighbouring Benin Republic. If that country can do it, we should do even better. We had been repeatedly given dashed hope in that critical sector; and now we hope that as the words of Mr. President; “electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.”

It is an insult, and an embarrassment, that our currency has become so weak and rarely can compete with any desired currency around the globe. How do we explain the reality that the Benin Republic CFA is strongly competing with Naira? Our entire monetary policy as a nation must be overhauled; the era of parallel exchange rate markets must be behind us. It is unproductive, and we cannot allow it to be sustained beyond now if we want to make any meaningful improvement in our national monetary policy. Mr. President speaks of a thorough house cleaning; that much the Central Bank must be forced to do.

The list is endless, but I will add to the discourse around fuel subsidy removal. In the words of Mr. President, “Fuel subsidy is gone.” Though it is expected, it would be appropriate that Nigerians see in the next few days what the government has in stock to cushion the immediate effect of the subsidy removal. Without a clear and direct intervention, the ordinary citizens would be at the receiving end of the increment. We want to see, on one hand, rigorous interventions, and on the other hand, strong interaction with the citizens to know what they are gaining by losing on the subsidy regime. That is a social responsibility of the government and Mr. President owes Nigerians that much.

I am going to end this piece today, yet, slightly borrowing from the words of the President: this period is momentously critical for all Nigerians; and for all of us a proud moment of birth of new hope, the renewed hope. This is about time we join hands to aid our nation affirm its rightful place among the world’s great democracies. Shall we all join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make Nigeria a more perfect nation, creating a new Nigeria with positive ideas that would live through eternity?

Mr. President, these are your words and today they become your bond; we would hold you to actualise them. “With full confidence in our ability, I declare that these things are within our proximate reach because my name is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!