Happy New Year

Brilliant fireworks are adorning the skies in many parts of the world today to celebrate the onset of January 1, marking the start of the New Year 2020 in the modern Gregorian and the Julian calendars. It is being marked as a work free day in Nigeria, and it offers the possibility of a new […]

Brilliant fireworks are adorning the skies in many parts of the world today to celebrate the onset of January 1, marking the start of the New Year 2020 in the modern Gregorian and the Julian calendars. It is being marked as a work free day in Nigeria, and it offers the possibility of a new beginning for the nation and the start of a new budget year.

The resilience of Nigerians will be tested again in the New Year as we hope for an improvement in our economic circumstances. At this point the economic indicators are not where we want them to be. Nigeria’s inflation rate was at 11.85 per cent in November 2019, the highest since April 2018, from 11.61 percent the previous month. The unemployment rate is estimated to reach 33.5 per cent this year. Power supply remains epileptic while the roads and other infrastructure are not in a good shape. Nigerians hope and pray for quick solutions to these problems in the New Year.

Another area Nigerians want urgent solution is the corruption that has continued to damage every facet of our nation’s life. So much has been said by the government on this. But this scourge must not only  be seen to be fought, it must reflect in the conduct of every official of the government at all levels. Corruption has damaged every fabric of the society and denied Nigerians the opportunity of a decent life. It should be fought in creative new ways using technological tools as well as the time-tested ways of leadership by example.

The fight against corruption is not a one man’s job, so we expect President Muhammadu Buhari to mobilise the members of his party members and his government to key into the fight. At present, there is much dissonance between the sayings and the deeds of key officials. We should go beyond sensational recoveries made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] and other anti-graft agencies. In addition to vigorous investigations, trials and convictions, measures should be put in place to prevent corruption, rather than just to punish it.

As last year ended, there was a spike in Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province [ISWAP] attacks. Kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities still make life unbearable in parts of the country. The only security area where there has been noticeable improvement is reduction in herders/farmers clashes. Banditry and killings have also greatly abated in Zamfara State due to proactive measures taken by the state government and security agencies.

In this New Year, we expect the military, in conjunction with other security forces and the Civilian JTF to take decisive steps and end the menace of insecurity in many parts of the country. The federal government should also restrategise, reorganize, re-equip and, with the help of our neighbours, end the Boko Haram menace once and for all. Nigerians should appreciate the military and other security agencies who are currently overstretched but have been doing their best to quickly restore peace and security to the nation.

All Nigerians are happy that this year’s federal budget was passed into law and signed in time to restore the January to December budget circle. That, however, is only the beginning. We expect to see tangible results this year with the quick initiation, proper funding and early completion of social and infrastructural projects that will boost economic activities and help combat poverty in this land.

The New Year offers Nigeria a new opportunity for its challenges to be addressed so that the citizens would live in hope for a happier, safer and more prosperous year. This is also the year Nigerians should shake off all the divisiveness of politics and resolve to live in peace. And as work resumes from tomorrow, there should be renewed dedication by all workers to put in their best to improve productivity and contribute their quota to the needed urgent development of the nation. We wish all Nigerians a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.