23rd April, 2015
By Femi Onasanya
The business of governance is not a child’s play. It is very tasking, demanding and it requires high level of tact, patience and intelligence. These cannot be an exception for Nigeria’s President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.
It is noteworthy that countless congratulatory messages have been sent out since he was announced the winner of the highly contested March 28 Presidential election. Such accolades are normal for a feat of this magnitude, especially for a person who had made three attempts in the past.
The President-elect, who is now fondly called the people’s General should endeavour to celebrate less and get prepared for the herculean task ahead of him given the state of disrepair which the country has been plunged into.
I want to believe that General Buhari must have been well prepared for these tasks given his experience as a former Head of State and outstanding public servant who had manned various positions. Also, those waiting years are expected to be a good time for incubation for national assignment. Hence, the passion for a better Nigeria which continued to burn like fire in his bones should now be made public for the world to see through his transparent government which, according to him, would give zero tolerance to corruption.
The General Buhari of the 1980s we knew would definitely not renege on his principle of integrity which is the major hallmark of his personality. This no doubt convinced many Nigerians to prefer him ahead of other contestants at the polls. The General turned Democrat should live up to his words without suddenly becoming selective and sentimental in his anti-corruption crusade.
He will write his name in gold if corruption at all levels is sent into extinction by his administration.
The incoming All Progressives Congress-led government should also try its best to focus on ridding the country of youth unemployment. According to National Bureau of Statistics, unemployment rate in Nigeria averaged 14.60 percent from 2006 until 2011, reaching an all-time high of 23.90 Percent in 2011 and a record low of 5.30 Percent in 2006.
President Buhari’s administration should assiduously work towards salvaging the so-called leaders of tomorrow from the biblical description that, “our fathers have eaten the grapevine and the children’s teeth are put on edge”. It should be said of this country in the next few years that we used to have issues with engaging the youth in gainful employment. The unborn children should be told about Buhari-led government that brought a new lease of life to Nigerians and not otherwise.
The challenge in our power sector should be tackled head-long and be made a thing of the past. Whatever cabal that is putting the nation behind civilization should be uprooted without compromise. This new government should perfect grey areas hindering the full privatization of the sector and gas sale agreement which is long-abandoned should be signed.
If at all we would leave the Third World class for the Developed Nations class, we cannot continue to remain the highest purchaser of generating sets. Unfortunately, countries which cannot match us in both human and material resources have started telling the good story of 24-hour constant power supply, thereby attracting investors.
The Buhari-led administration should not take economic reforms for granted. Our naira today cannot stand tall among other currencies in the world. The new government should come up with economic policies that will rejuvenate our dwindling and near-death national life without leaving any stone unturned. Other sectors of our national life such as health and education, among others begging for attention should also be given utmost priority.
Besides, the government should work on diversifying the economy by reducing attention on the oil and gas sector whose relevance in the international market is reducing by the day. Agriculture, which has long been abandoned should be revamped. It should be made attractive for graduates and our teeming youth at large without having to look for any white collar job.
It is obvious that there can be no development without infrastructure in place. The coming government should endeavour to eradicate uneven development with sound infrastructure developmental plans that can stand the test of time across all the six geopolitical zones of the country. It should avoid the temptation of paying better attention to those who voted for him at the expense of others. He is already a father to the over 150 million Nigerians. The incoming government should as well have a large heart to let go of the past without having to witch-hunt any perceived enemy.
Notwithstanding, the President-elect should surround himself with men and women of “like passion”; Nigerians who have Nigeria at heart. He should not associate with individuals who see public office as an avenue to enrich oneself at the expense of the nation.
On our part as citizens of this great country, it is imperative we join hands with the leadership to make Nigeria great. The situation in our dear nation at the moment does not call for ethnic, religious or political debate any longer. The business of governance is a collective responsibility. And General Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo should always remind themselves that they have put their integrity and sound character on the line. They must live up to expectation.
•Onasanya wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State via [email protected] (08036170135)