Nigeria@60: Youths respond to presidential address

On the occasion of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary (which will run for a year) on Thursday, youths under the auspices of Kano-based Society for Educational Development and Socio-Democratic Activities (SEDSAC) convened a Summit to interrogate the achievements claimed by this and past administrations, and juxtapose such to a Diamond Jubilee of sixty years. Particularly, the […]

On the occasion of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary (which will run for a year) on Thursday, youths under the auspices of Kano-based Society for Educational Development and Socio-Democratic Activities (SEDSAC) convened a Summit to interrogate the achievements claimed by this and past administrations, and juxtapose such to a Diamond Jubilee of sixty years.

Particularly, the youths critically examined the Presidential Address delivered morning of October 1st from Abuja’s Eagle Square. SEDSAC and the Summit’s Moderators (including a former NUJ Kano State Chairman; a traditional ruler; some social activists; and this Columnist) examined the almost 60-paragraph speech of President Buhari and made some annotations and posers on selected paragraphs:

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“20. It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the diaspora frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields.”

Indeed, Sir; our compatriots do relatively well abroad. Congratulations to them and to Nigeria. But we dare say it is THE ENVIRONMENT that made them such high achievers, not the blood in their veins. Recently, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi similarly exulted on the excellence of his citizens abroad – citing the many Fortune 500 companies Indians head all over the world. Modi was likewise reminded: It is THE ENVIRONMENT. If leaders make the environment at home conducive, those at home will also excel. It is not rocket science, Sir.

“25. Nigeria is not a country for Mr. President, any ruling or opposition party but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of challenges we face, to make this country what we desire.”

Your Excellency, if this country is for all of us, why are we, the children of the poor, at home as our universities are still closed due to the current strike while our contemporaries, children of the Big Men, are already returning to their institutions abroad and to private universities at home? It is not sour grapes; we are contented with our lot. But our lot should be made functional even if our four-year degrees become six years, while those ‘yan-gata who have jobs waiting for them after their two-year Cotonou Tokunbo degrees continue to perambulate on chartered jets. Please Sir, do something about our plight.

“28. The recent build-up and eventual outcome of the Edo State elections should encourage Nigerians that it is my commitment to bequeath to this country processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count.”

Yes, Sir. But this will be most true if the candidate of the Federal Ruling Party does not rush to court and is encouraged to congratulate the winner. If that is done, Edo Elections shall be counted as a plus to this Presidential Proclamation on credible elections. It is true that despite the deployment of massive financial and political arsenal, including ‘Inconclusive-in-Chief’ and ‘Labour-in-Vain’, the people of Edo State have shown the way to go.

“39. In this wise, the need to return to our age-old ethical and high moral values would be necessary and this informed my launching of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy on Monday 28th September, 2020.”

This Summit supports the National Ethics and Integrity Policy. We appeal to you, Sir, to follow the launch with action. It will be best if the Federal Government convenes a National Summit on Ethics and Integrity so that each state can adapt and adopt the policy based on its culture, religion and society. A centralised attempt to define national ethics (permanently and irrevocably tarnished by BBNaija etc.) may not be the best – let every state design its methodology relying on the Federal Template. Here in Kano, our Societal Reorientation Programme of the Ibrahim Shekarau Administration was a good attempt on that path.

“41.   Fellow Nigerians, in addition to public health challenges of working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, we have suffered a significant drop in our foreign exchange earnings and internal revenues due to 40 per cent drop in oil prices and steep drop in economic activities, leading to a 60 per cent drop in government revenue.”

Mr. President, despite this ‘drop in government revenue’, we heard that the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus, which is run directly from your office, has spent a handsome number of billions of Naira waging this great battle. Could we ask for details? Although, of course, in this country we have heard similar ‘expenses’ at NDDC and the recent billions of school feeding funds in the personal account of a deceased government official. Out with the details, Sire!

“48.   Further afield, Egypt charges N211 per litre. Saudi Arabia charges N168 per litre. It makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia.”

Indeed Mr. President! We quite agree ‘it makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia.’ Be that as it is, Sir, please give us the following incentives Saudis enjoy and we can agree to N200 for a litre: relative security; good roads; regular power; cheap food relative to minimum wage. Indeed, give us Saudi Minimum Wage.

“49. Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great country we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do that which is right and proper even when no one is watching.”

We also wish to solidify our strength Sir, but we all are afraid even of venturing outside our homes for fear of evil people lurking in the darkness waiting to abduct, rob or mug us. Had there been light 24/7, we would see them before they see us. Alas! All dark!

“51.   It is my sincere hope that by the end of this anniversary on September 30th 2021, we will all be proud of taking this individual and collective self-assessment for the progress of our great Nation.”

Amen, Mr. President! But the foremost prayer here should be MAY WE BE ALIVE by the end of this anniversary on September 30th, 2021.