Another disappointing speech

If anyone still doubted President Muhammad Buhari’s (PMB) passion for the job, or commitment towards improving the nation, they should have been dismissed by his appearance during presentation of the 2106 Democracy Day address. Over the years political analysts have commented on the physical appearance of African leaders. In most developed countries leaders age while […]

If anyone still doubted President Muhammad Buhari’s (PMB) passion for the job, or commitment towards improving the nation, they should have been dismissed by his appearance during presentation of the 2106 Democracy Day address. Over the years political analysts have commented on the physical appearance of African leaders. In most developed countries leaders age while in office, and begin to look younger and fresher afterwards. This is only to be expected as the full weight of office bears down upon hard working, concerned leaders.  With African Heads of State it’s usually the opposite. Extended stomachs, fresh faces, bloated cheeks and healthy meaty necks are more often than not the norm.
Although PMB is a septuagenarian, there is little doubt that he is different and has aged in the last one year since he assumed office. In addition to inherited economic problems, and all the political problems caused by over ambition and indiscipline within the ruling party’s hierarchy, he has kept up a travel itinerary which would stress many men half his age. There is little doubt that he needs to delegate more and reduce his workload. He looked frail and his speech was even frailer.    
It’s to our President’s credit that his personality and people’s belief in him, overcomes the deficiencies of his speech writers. This is the second time since his election that presidential speech writers have had the opportunity to write inspire the populace, the first being on October 1st last year.
Sadly on both occasions they have failed to ignite the passions of Nigerians with their tepid uninspiring language and failure to appreciate what Nigerians want to hear. It was a rambling speech which said nothing new and managed to avoid addressing some pressing issues. It was more of a prolonged explanation of why we are going through hardships, than an attempt to convince anyone that change had actually come, and some of the language used was illogical and totally unbefitting. PMB said “We are fully aware that those vested interests who have held Nigeria back for so long will not give up without a fight. They will sow divisions, sponsor vile press criticisms at home and abroad, incite the public in an effort to create chaos rather than relinquish the vice-like grip they have held on Nigeria”.
If this is so, then why were they not named so we could all join in stopping their nefarious activities? The speech concentrated on the problems of government rather than those of Nigerians. The failure to mention the atrocities of rampaging so called “Herdsmen”, or activities of the pro-Biafra groups was a mistake, especially in light of the warning given to Niger Delta Militants that “If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice”. 
In trying to belittle his party’s problems in the national assembly PMB said the clumsy budget exercise was “an example of consensus building, which is integral to democratic government. In the end we resolved our differences”. Hopefully there will be less need for such “consensus building” as we move forward.The most serious challenges facing the nation today are increasing unemployment and poverty which are directly responsible for the current high level of insecurity. Nigeria has been correctly described as a rich country full of poor people.
Although corruption is undeniably a major problem, mismanagement of the economy and adoption of poor economic policies are the reasons for increasing poverty levels. Worst still despite the excessive cost of governance, negligible social services are rendered. PMB’s said this will change and his speech made reference to his social poverty alleviation plan calling it “by far the most ambitious social protection program in our history”. In this regard, five hundred billion naira has been appropriated in the 2016 budget. Over the years several institutions such as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Association of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the National Poverty Eradication Program (NAPEP) have been set up to address unemployment and poverty alleviation but they have had little significant impact. The speech made no reference to such agencies, other than the vague statement that the last twelve months have been spent “collaborating with all arms of government to revive our institutions so that they are more efficient and fit for purpose”.
Perhaps trying to make up for the fact that he has been accused of bad-mouthing Nigerians all over the world and being partly responsible for David Cameron’s impression of Nigeria as a fantastically corrupt nation, PMB said that despite the many years of hardship and disappointment the people of this nation have proved inherently good, industrious tolerant, patient and generous. Truly Nigerians have been patient. Obasanjo asked for patience, as did Yar’Adua and Jonathan, At least PMB did not ask for patient once again, but rather truthfully told there would be hardships.