Task Before The President-Elect

region, kidnapping in almost every region, terrorism in the North and the militancy in the Niger Delta. Furthermore, the next President must prioritise economic development and job creation, especially for Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population. The nation’s economy has struggled in recent years due to falling oil prices and other economic challenges. He must work towards diversifying the economy and creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs across different sectors. This will not only address the country’s economic challenges but also help address the root causes of insecurity and unrest.

We can be a great country, just like the United States of America, with good political leadership because we are naturally entrepreneurial, embrace free enterprise and emboldened with die-hard and can-do traits. As a priority, the next President must place a premium on good governance and accountability.

Endemic corruption has been a major challenge in Nigeria and it has contributed to the country’s economic woes and undermined public trust in government. To address this, the President must demonstrate a strong commitment to transparency and accountability. This could involve implementing measures to prevent and detect corruption, strengthening institutions, such as the EFCC and ICPC, and promoting a culture of ethical leadership and public service.

The President must work towards building strong institutions and promoting transparency and accountability in all aspects of governance. This includes ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions and that public resources are used for the benefit of all Nigerians.

To address the challenge of national security, he must demonstrate strong leadership in the areas of counterterrorism, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution. This could involve boosting the capacity of the country’s security forces, implementing effective intelligence gathering and sharing, and strengthening the criminal justice system to ensure that perpetrators of violence and terrorism are brought to justice.

All that can be done while the President addresses the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality, by investing in social and economic development programs that create jobs and provide opportunities for the country’s youth as discussed.

To tackle the challenge of a struggling economy, the next President must prioritise economic growth and development. This could involve implementing policies that encourage foreign investment, reducing the country’s reliance on oil exports, diversifying the economy by promoting non-oil sectors such as agriculture and technology, and creating programmes to alleviate poverty and reduce inequality.

In regards to the country’s university system, he must address the concerns of university unions and work to improve funding, governance and workers welfare in the education sector. He must also focus on improving the quality of education by investing in teacher training, curriculum development and educational infrastructure.

The President must also lead by example by ensuring that his own administration is transparent and accountable to the people. He must be strong, decisive and committed to democratic governance, a leader who demonstrates a willingness to confront vested interests and self-regard. The fate of the country in the face of these challenges largely depends on the strength of character and dedication of the incoming President.

Finally, Nigeria is at a critical juncture and the incoming President will be a crucial factor in determining the country’s future trajectory. As such, he must be a unifying figure who can address the country’s many challenges and promote national unity, economic development, and good governance. With the right leadership and policies, the country can overcome its many challenges and emerge as a prosperous and peaceful country that is a source of pride for all Nigerians in particular and Africa in general.

The announcement was made during the unveiling of the new kit at a recent ceremony held at the Edo State Government House in Benin, Edo State. Sterling Bank Executive Director, Tunde Adeola, expressed gratitude and honour to be part of the return to footballing glory of Bendel Insurance. He pledged Sterling Bank's continued support and sponsorship for the football club, adding that it cherishes the partnership.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State and Chairman of Bendel Insurance and Edo Queen Football Clubs, Philip Shaibu, also thanked Sterling Bank for its continued support, particularly after the Board approached several private establishments for sponsorship. Shaibu disclosed that Sterling Bank had been the only corporate entity to sponsor a team in the Nigerian National League (NNL) and the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), with a recordmaking deal worth N50 million in the previous season. This partnership has been extended to the tune of N75 million for the new season as the football club vies for honours in the top flight.

The footballing relationship between Bendel Insurance and Sterling Bank has been mutually beneficial. Not only has the football club gained promotion to the Nigerian Premier Football League, but Sterling Bank was also crowned champions of the 2022 edition of the Nigerian Bankers’ Games.

Still, Bendel Insurance’s head coach, Monday Odigie, has refused to entertain talks that his team is now the favourite to win the League title, despite being unbeaten after nine matches. The coach emphasized that his team still has a lot of work to do before the end of the season. He remained grounded, as every coach is supposed to, saying: "We still have more games to play in the second half of the season. Winning the league isn’t our priority as we want to focus more on maintaining a high level of performance in our remaining fixtures. Our team is young, so they need to be thirsty for success. If all this can be done, success will surely come.”

With the support of the government, corporate sponsorship, dogged determination and disciplined focus, the ‘Benin Arsenal’ can do the unthinkable and lift the 2023 NPFL title. The second half of the abridged season will tell but they have shown the possibilities that exist in Nigerian Football with the right support and mentality.