2015 rekindled our hopes

As we reluctantly say farewell to this year of new beginnings it is proper that we put it in context. For a usually depressed and depressing nation, 2015 was indeed a very interesting year. While many expected it to start a violent process of breaking up, we managed to pull back from the precipice, and […]

As we reluctantly say farewell to this year of new beginnings it is proper that we put it in context. For a usually depressed and depressing nation, 2015 was indeed a very interesting year. While many expected it to start a violent process of breaking up, we managed to pull back from the precipice, and though thoroughly battered and bruised we are now, for all the right reasons, basking in new found hope, pride and sense of purpose.
Hopefully we have used the Maulud and Christmas breaks (both commemorating birthdays) to thank The Almighty for our national rebirth. Thanks are also due to General (now President) Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other midwives of APC; to INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega and his people; and to all those who helped convince Former President Goodluck Jonathan of the futility (and dangers) or resisting the people’s mandate. Because of them, 2015 became the first year, after our one century of existence, that we were able to kick out an unpopular government at the national level.
Hopefully the message has sunk in to all corrupt, inept and insensitive current or budding politicians, at all levels, that they too could be shown the way out.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s current drive to root out corruption and impunity has also, hopefully, driven the fear of God (or at least of earthly retributions) into the Nigerian elite with their penchant for stealing, lying and manipulating their way to wealth and power, with minimal responsibilities.
The year also demystified “national security” and propaganda. No longer will future National Security Advisers behave like an ATM, or the armed wing, of the ruling parties. Nor would anyone dare steal funds meant for purchasing weapons for our gallant forces. Saint Goodluck is not the patron saint of corrupt politicians, nor is there a bank called Bank NSA. The unfortunate and totally unbecoming behaviour of the press (notably AIT and
Dar Coms, This Day and NPAN) was also exposed, and we believe lessons have been learnt. For these small mercies we are indeed grateful.
These, however, are just the first strong winds preceding the Tsunami that is set to change our nation. Others are on the way.
The murderous and ungodly exploits of Boko Haram, which have almost crippled our nation, are now under check. Our government has now woken up to its responsibility to secure the whole country, instead of insulting our intelligence with half-measures. In addition, we are now beginning to believe that, slowly but surely, our government is taking the issue of agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing seriously in order to usher in inclusive growth and real development. We may not be privy to the plans yet, but we are confident that the government will try its best. Belief in government promises has hitherto been extremely rare.
Still, the year is ending with many problems unresolved, not the least of which are some security concerns.  The fate of our Chibok girls, and how to prevent future insurgencies come to mind. Resolving the real fate of these abducted girls remains a priority for the parents, for Nigerians and for people of goodwill all over the world. There must be a “closure” to the uncertainties and speculations. Equally important are the revision of our internal security arrangements, as well as modernising and streamlining the rules of engagement for our security forces. The recent outing of the Army in Zaria raises serious concerns. While past governments, virtually all of them, have been criminally negligent in allowing various groups to constitute themselves into real or emerging threats to our national security, and while Ibrahim Al-Zakzakky and his gang may indeed be the next serious power-keg waiting to explode, and granted that an insurgency-weary
Army may tend to be impatient with any budding threats, it is still a constitutional requirement, and in our national security interest, to ensure our soldiers obey laid down rules of engagement in dealing with breaches of the peace. Our traditional, community-based, early warning systems and security arrangements also need to be strengthened.
The future direction of the economy is another unknown, especially as this relate to the “fuel subsidy” fraud, the fate of the Naira, the National Minimum Wage and the unreasonably high interest rates. These issues would no doubt define the New Year. They would have to be addressed if we are to move forward.
Additionally, we expect to hear, very early in the New Year, what plans are there for our infrastructure, unemployment, environment, education, health, science, technology, foreign policy, culture, women, youth, (and especially) sports and recreation. Regarding education, for example, one would expect a much higher degree of honest retrospection. We all know that more than half of all credits claimed by the kids in most of our exams are actually purchased, with the full connivance of the teachers and parents.
Many of the so-called teachers are either unqualified or corrupt, or both.
Culturally, we are producing a nation of idiots who merely watch TV, and only English Football, Africa Magic, songs and dances. Ignorant of geography and history, which we have replaced with some nonsense called “social studies” our kids have no time for news or documentaries, and cannot even relate to others except via Facebook or WhatsApp. They have no interest in politics or the economy, and thus leave their future for others to determine.
And we shouldn’t let anybody deceive us that we are a sporting nation. As soon as we leave secondary, school most of us have no access to any sporting facility. The Sports Ministry has been turned into a Ministry of
Football, and even then it only focuses on competitive marches, instead of being responsible for developing all sports – competitive and recreational
– as well as for our general physical development. These are just some few examples of the many questions that we must resolve soon, since 2015 has given us a voice, and reaffirmed our rights to demand for creative and imaginative answers. We must learn to speak out louder.
More than anything else, 2015 has given us President Muhammadu Buhari who is redefining the concept, and true meaning, of public service. Now we know that government officials and all political office holders are here to serve us, not to “chop” and give us our little share. It has been an eventful year, and 2016 promises to be even more interesting. It will, without doubt, be a year full of opportunities, hopes and expectations. A year also of collective responsibilities. We must all roll up our sleeves (or tie up our *Babban Riga*) and join in making it a year of re-birth. May it be a happy and prosperous one for all of us.