As year 2016 ends this month, many Nigerians still have various expectations concerning the country’s development process. While some want a speedier implementation process on the 17 SDGs, others want to see a ‘sacred cow’ top public official move from awaiting trial to real prison term. Some want an end to the Executive-Legislature face-off while others want the Nigerian economy back on track. Yet others want reduced unemployment and others want a faster 2017 Budget process. To you, what are your 2016 year-end development expectations?
ABIMBOLA AKOSILE
* Economy is everything and once in place we can focus on our other numerous problems. Nigerians are suffering and the leadership needs to provide quick short-term interventions to keep us afloat before the long-term ideas they envision manifest.
– Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State
* I believe with few days to end 2016, all face-offs with the Executive and Legislature can be resolved to move governance forward, coupled with the completion of outstanding projects especially under the new 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Nigeria cannot make any headway when there is misunderstanding among the leadership. Wherever there is peace, then development will surely come to Nigeria. All hands must be on deck to use these few days to end 2016 to make things work for our good, irrespective of party, religion, and tribal differences.
– Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State
* My year-end development expectations are peace, bumper harvest and the change in understanding on who is that God that we claim to serve. The world over respect the gift of love God has given us as citizens of this country as we help one another when in need. I tell you the white with their white and pointed noses as President Mugabe (of Zimbabwe) will say, are trying to suppress us, if not, why the fighting, killings of my people by Fulani insurgents in Southern Kaduna are keeping mute. President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) should know he is there by God’s grace. We knew that he wept and was supported by some evil-minded people to come and kill Nigerians. So, unity is my year-end expectation.
– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
* Genuine budget, aptly submitted and approved without padding or such grotesque manipulations, research, electricity, employment, agriculture, security, information management, reformed and sincere leadership, better policies, appropriately strategising, improving our naira power or and better foreign exchange rate, available and sustained food and fuel during and beyond the Christmas yuletides e.t.c. must be accorded the deserving priorities they all merit. Our two major rival parties, the two Houses (of Parliament), Presidency, judiciary e.t.c must complement each other to achieve the afore-mentioned goals.
– Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State
* I want the Federal Government to put in more money into the pockets of Nigerians. Government should pay outstanding salaries and wages of workers, outstanding pension to retirees, and outstanding payment for completed and verified contracts. There are ways to do this; it should just choose one option. Borrow money locally or from abroad, print money and manage inflation rather than battle recession and pay States their outstanding spending on Federal Government roads and infrastructure where applicable or even lend money to States to enable them pay outstanding wages, salaries, pension and for contracts already executed and verified. This is my take.
– Mr. Nnamdi Duru, Abuja
* We must emulate selected good examples of advanced climes in order to grow like them or even surpass them. Regionalised electricity generation, intensive bank-assisted grassroots small scale farming, better funded education, climate monitoring, security, employment, and above all, conducting, documenting and utilising quality research findings by schools, religious institutions, banks, groups, individuals e.t.c. with sincerity will better our lives positively. Experienced and wisely-selected but proven captains of industries i.e. technocrats (not politicians) must be allowed and trusted to steer our ship of industrialisation for better results. God bless Nigeria.
– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos
* My development expectations are that we go back to God. Look at Akwa Ibom for example. This state has the Promised Land as its state slogan and is never ashamed to identify with God. I remember during the OBJ (President Olusegun Obasanjo) era, contentious oil wells were taken from Cross River State and given to it (Akwa Ibom). Years later, Jonathan took more from Rivers and gave them. They always organise concerts and events to worship God right from the last administration. Today, economically they are okay and have no militancy. They have a Governor who is an ordained deacon has been called the praying governor and is known to put the Lord into the affairs of the state. Prayers, supplication and worship are common in the Government House chapel. Psalm 91:14 says, “Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him, I will protect him for he acknowledges My name”. This shows that there is protection in acknowledging God’s name. No wonder they (Akwa Ibom) are insulated from the militancy of their region and are economically okay.
– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
* My year-end expectation is that the National Assembly should pass the 2017 budget before 2016 completely expires, so we don’t stagnate. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has rubber-stamped it so the legislators should get down to business as soon as they receive it (budget). Let us be proactive for a change.
– Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R Associates, Apo, Abuja
* Although my year-end development expectations are many, my top pick is for the three arms of government to bury the hatchets between themselves and work together to help bring Nigeria out of the doldrums and revive the economy ahead of a new year in 2017. If the Executive and the Legislature can settle their differences in the interest of the common good of all citizens, then harmony will occur and progress will be made in the governance process of this nation. Disagreement breeds regression and stagnation. Nigeria cannot afford any backward movement right now because of the precarious state of our economy and the latent anger and hunger in the land. Once the first and second arms of government agree on collectively moving the country forward, then they can work more easily with the third arm (Judiciary) to ensure a unified effort and sharper focus. Although Nigeria may have some peculiar problems, these are not insurmountable. Also most importantly, let the leaders mainstream the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) into the national development plan for Nigeria; if these goals can be realised, then the country will get on the right track towards desired development. There is a lot to look ahead to in the New Year. God bless Nigeria.
– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State
THE RESPONSE
Top expectation: Better cohesion in governance
Second: Revamp the economy
Third: Peace and unity nationwide
Radical tip: Pay outstanding salaries!
Total no of respondents: 9
Male: 6
Female: 3
Highest location: Lagos (5)
Next Week: Should Agric Exports be Discouraged in Nigeria?
Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture raised the alarm that Nigeria may experience famine as early as January 2017, if the Federal Government does not move urgently to stop the alarming outflow and export of agricultural products (especially grain crops) from the major markets in the Northern parts of the country to countries as far away as Libya, Algeria and Brazil. The hike in export was caused by increased demand by other nations for Nigerian food products (both processed and raw) and the lure of foreign revenue from export proceeds. However, since the country is yet to attain self-sufficiency in food production and successfully tackle hunger, some analysts want an official restriction on export of agricultural (food) products. To you, should agricultural exports be checked or discouraged in Nigeria?
Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (December 8 & Monday, December 12) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, December 15
