With the multiple challenges currently being faced by the Federal Government including economic recession, mounting poverty, persistent corruption, higher rate of kidnapping, abuse of IDPs, high rate of unemployment and a reeling manufacturing sector, many people still believe the current administration has what it takes to tackle these problems and is making efforts to do so, while others think the government at the centre cannot cope without an overhaul and greater collaboration with other actors. To you, is the federal government still on the right track towards delivering the gains of development to the citizens of this country?
ABIMBOLA AKOSILE
* Yes, the federal government is obviously on the right track. All the negative predictions by the West against Nigeria failed as inflation is being shackled by our humble economic experts; economic recession is being tackled by indigenous gurus, even high-profile corruption cases are being prosecuted without fear or favour. There are expanding employment horizons, stemming poverty, kidnappers to bag life jail terms, and abusers of IDPs being prosecuted too irrespective of whose ox is gored; with deliberate efforts to boost food, energy and manufacturing, and check in insecurity with honesty and zeal e.t.c. These have all taken Nigeria some good steps forward. Although the sky is our beginning, we are progressing appreciably. We must remain focused and determined. God bless Nigeria.
– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos
* About the federal government being on track, my answer is yes and no. Yes, the rank and file of Nigerians have realised that graft has an underbelly of trouble; it is good. However, it appears society is stratified in this matter. Do those people presently in and around power truly accept that corruption isn’t okay?
– Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Associates, Apo, Abuja
* It’s a complex question based on one’s position on the ladder of information. Speaking from a macroeconomic perspective, NO, very little has been done to remedy Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. We still see blatant nepotism, corruption and incompetence in national leadership. The current leadership at Federal level still scores well below average in terms of performance. Power supply is miserable, so are our roads, education, security, trade etc. The exchange rate has become a reoccurring nightmare. If we benchmark the Federal government against their electioneering promises, the score is less than 0.5 per cent. A lot was expected and very little is being done.
– Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
* Twenty months after taking over power, the Buhari-led government, even to the blind, has lost it. In fact, it has spent most of its precious time chasing enemies, forgetting it has responsibility to those who believed and voted for him. No capital project, no electricity after all the (fake) promises, killings everywhere while the president would wait until he is compelled to show concern. What about economy? Can we ever recover again?
– Mr. Sunny Okobi, Lagos State
* Despite the high hopes raised by the incumbent administration, Nigerians are yet to experience any significant development after close to two years of taking over power to show we are on track.
– Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State
* The Federal Government has done well to some extent on Boko Haram and corruption, but they need to act more on the Fulani herdsmen issue, to ensure that peace is maintained by all. The contemporary case of Southern Kaduna also leaves much to be desired concerning the beneficiaries of the tax money that was paid, how the killers get arms, any affiliation with Boko Haram, and why they haven’t been arrested so far. Let us pray that the 2017 budget will get us out of recession. PMB’s cabinet needs to be checked and the corrupt ones dropped or else corruption will fight back.
– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna
* Individually, we can analyse this administration and draw our conclusions from it, let us put aside big grammar and be realistic for once, They are part of the elites that led us right from the independence day to this present time randomly, without exempting any. What have we achieved as a nation? Please spare me of this grammar.
– Mr. Adegun Abiodun Mathew, Lagos State
* The Federal government is indeed still on the right track. What it needs to succeed is the goodwill of you and I. God has placed PMB where he is. Our collective goodwill and wishes for his regime would make negative things positive for us all. So they need our support to be on the right track.
– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
* Let Nigerians put past events of 2016 behind and believe that this year will be better. All the ugly things that happened last year will not happen again. I believe there must be focus in getting out of recession this year; after all oil price is going up in the international market which is to our advantage due to the current benchmark of $42 for the 2017 budget. There is hope for Nigeria if the concerned ministries would manage budget funds very well.
– Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State
* As far as jobs are not being created and the level of poverty continues to grow, the gains of development will continue to be on paper only. Government should look for ways of creating private-sector jobs.
– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
* Yes, but these persistent hydra-headed challenges bedevilling us today need our very best hands, brains and resources to pull through these endless thorny path we have toiled through so tortuously too slowly and stressfully. It is quite obvious that the government at the centre has lost too much grip and therefore needs genuine help badly. Apart from total overhaul, greater collaboration with other actors irrespective of party, religion, ethnicity, tribe, culture, economic status e.t.c. is long overdue. We must act fast and of course now, as a stitch in time saves nine.
– Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State
* If I have forgotten all the promises bandied by the APC pre-2015 I can never forget this one: “Giving Nigerians electricity is not rocket science”. Twenty months down the line, it appears it’s worse than Astrophysics combined with Molecular Genetics.
– Mr. John Ogunsemore, Lagos State
* Yes, the federal government is on the right track, although greater speed and more achievements which are tangible and visible in the lives of the poor would be very much welcome. Despite the government’s N5,000 monthly stipend to one million poor citizens, poverty has not abated. Corruption cases must be concluded speedily with long jail terms for sacred cows, while some kidnappers must be actually sentenced and put to death this year, to help deter others from the lucrative venture. Lastly, the 2017 budget must the strictly implemented and development must be across board all over the country.
– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos
THE RESPONSE
Yes, it is: 5
No, it is not: 2
Others: 6
Radical tip: Kill kidnappers!
Total no of respondents: 13
Male: 10
Female: 3
Highest location: Lagos (8)
Next Week: Is Juicy Whistleblowing Truly Worth the Risk?
The Federal Government recently dangled a juicy carrot in front of Nigerians in its continuing fight against corruption. Anyone who volunteers information on official corrupt acts will be entitled to a five per cent cut of any loot recovered through the information. However, while some believe this process would boost the government’s anti-corruption war and help enrich patriotic citizens, others feel the risk far outweighs the five per cent reward, even though the identities of potential whistleblowers would be kept hidden, albeit there is no law or Act currently in place to protect them. To you, is whistleblowing truly worth the reward or the potential risk?
Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (January 19 & Monday, January 23) 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, January 26
