My President, behold your citizen and subject, a Nigerian with abiding faith in leadership and good governance. I am inspired to share with you the challenges of repositioning Nigeria for greater relevance, economic growth and general wellbeing of all.
Being conscious of the fact that, there is no situation however complex that can be insurmountable when men with typical Nigerian can-do spirit apply their ingenuous and empirical strategies towards changing such situation.
I am therefore optimistic that, notwithstanding the current economic recession, Nigeria can bounce back to economic health, particularly, if endowed Nigerians stand up, or are encouraged with invitation, or the enabling environment provided for them to assist.
It is therefore on this note, My President, that I most respectfully invite your honourable self and exalted office to please accept to share with me these thoughts, which though compelling, is presented as subjective.
1.Considering the continuous dip in economic indices and its untoward effect on the masses, there is need for a more decisive political will powered by a significant shift in leadership typology. This will enable a more radical and responsive approach capable of confronting the needs of the moment, to ensure survival of the masses against tomorrow. This strategy should come based on positive vision. Therefore it is now necessary to move beyond ordinary eyes, in order to see for us a Nigeria of greatness and proceed to plant seeds of positive changes guided by message of hope and firm determination anchored on the principle of service before self.
2.While fighting corruption, considered as our endemic disease is highly commendable, this should be made transparent enough to win the appreciation of Nigerians across board. Therefore it should be pursued without fear or favour, affection or ill will, conscious of the fact that, your words and action as our leader today will surely be subjected to the judgment of history. The salary of an average Nigerian currently is too low to ward off corrupt tendencies and many are never paid on time, an action which in itself is corruption. Government should work urgently on an upward review of the wage structure of her workers. There should be an exemplary and sustainable reward system to encourage any Nigerian from whatever realm, whether in civil, public service or private business found exhibiting patriotic and worthy character of honesty, accountability or self-discipline, in the face of corrupt challenges. These two way approach will enhance quick win over corrupt practices.
3.It has also become necessary for Mr. President to consider downsizing his multi sectoral responsibilities for a better and noticeable result. It is therefore my opinion, that, Mr. President should re-examine the content of the exclusive list and the concurrent list. Many of the responsibilities should be given over to the states. Road constructions in the name of Federal roads passing through states and other social services and economic infrastructures should be completely conceded to the state governments, except where it is unavoidable. If Akwa Ibom State Government could rebuild, reconstruct and construct many of notable Federal Institutions and designated federal roads, and till today, such funds have not been refunded, and yet the state is still moving forward, it therefore proves that, states can handle these projects within their territory. Accordingly, I proffer that, the Federal Government should relinquish many of its ministerial responsibilities to the respective states and concentrate on National security, diplomatic and bilateral deals, population and other compelling issues of national concern. To this end, Mr. President should consider as a matter of national development, a functional review of our revenue allocation formula in favour of states and local governments. To effectively live up to expectation of Nigerians in accordance with your campaign promises and more importantly governance under economic recession, Your Excellency, it is my strong conviction that you should address yourself more to issues affecting the masses. Particularly, those at the middle and lower echelon, for instant benefits and relief because; these are the worst hit and are dying in numbers daily while others are like walking corpse. You will appreciate truly, that, governance in the first instance, was for these ones that cannot take care of or defend themselves.
As part of such palliatives therefore, it will be to Mr. President’s credit, if the worrisome issue of Kerosene is addressed, which, besides being very scarce, where found, the price is completely beyond the reach of the common man. Kerosene is a basic need of the masses and allowing same completely to the forces of demand and supply, while petrol is controlled is a threat to their existence. There is also the tendency that fake kerosene dealers will present chemically mixed substances in the name of kerosene resulting in explosions that will destroy families and lives lost.
I strongly recommend resuscitation of ailing industries, mechanized farming with storage facilities backed by sustained and planned off-takers programme, industrialization through attractive incentives for all of these to provide qualitative working environment and opportunities for teaming unemployed graduates and other artisans. Mr. President is therefore invited to help free the masses with short term relieving policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the people using the state governor’s and other institutions closer to the people. A comprehensive data and population of actual unemployed persons and school children across the country is highly recommended before disbursement of palliatives, as otherwise will threaten the desired or targeted success of the five thousand naira palliatives and school feeding programme.
As observed by experts in public policy, implementation stage is the graveyard of public policy. So, it is safe to say that ineptitude of lieutenants is the graveyard of good governance. Therefore I request that to succeed in this crucial season in our country’s quest for self-reliance through economic and national rebirth, Mr. President should do right to fish out people and community development conscious men and women of capacity and integrity who are endowed, intelligent and patriotic goal-getters no matter their ethnicity, party or creed. These liberated men are vision translators and initiators. These persons are always very loyal. They are trained not to compete but compliment and add value to leadership. Nigerian Leaders, due to lack of self-confidence often times shy away from engaging tested intelligentsia and rather prefer mediocres, who end up being sycophants without ideas and values to add to enhance success and development. Mr. President is please requested to shift from this norm for Nigeria’s sake and his political capital.
Finally I wish to join millions of concerned Nigerians and other supportive institutions to advice Mr. President, to have a rethink on the closure of Namdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Kaduna as a town is experiencing frequent intra-city crisis for some time now. The lives of VIPs, diplomats, and other national and international travelers will be greatly threatened especially those flying in and arriving Nigeria at night. Mr. President and other world leaders cannot afford to travel by road from Abuja to Kaduna and from Kaduna to Abuja for safety and security reasons. There is no guarantee that the six weeks proposed will ever be observed accordingly, given Nigeria’s known project management experiences as can be recalled during similar exercise in Port Harcourt and Owerri Airports, where months became years. Mr. President may well consider repositioning a single lane runway and taxi lane at the Local or International terminal area for all purpose use, while other areas are closed down for a daily, monitored rehabilitation. Alternatively, where the above option is rejected, I will wish to remind Mr. President that Dodan Barracks and other Presidential facilities like Presidents office and secretariats, still remain preserved and available in Lagos for a temporal relocation of the seat of Government to Lagos for a more functional operation of Government business and ease of travel within the period under consideration.
Mr. President, I wish you well and for Nigeria, better days ahead, keep hope alive.
Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh Ph.D is a public policy analyst, public commentator and activist/mobilizer.
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