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Nigeria: As We Look Beyond 48th Independence Anniversary, 'Our Expectations From Yar'Adua Govt'

28 September 2008

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Abuja — Barely three days to the nation's 48th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, October 1, Nigerians yesterday called for implementation of robust policies capable of making life better for the Nigerian people before the country marks its Golden Jubilee in two years' time.

Drawn from different sectors of the nation's life, Nigerians who spoke with THISDAY called for the transformation of the country's socio-political and economic lso as to increase the standard of living of the people.

The nation's 50th anniversary will be marked on October 1, 2010 when the Yar'Adua government will still be in the fourth year of its present tenure.

From the Organised Private Sector (OPS) came a strident call for the upgrading of the nation's infrastructure and enhancement of the standard of living of the people.

President, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mazi Sam Ohabunwa, said the best independence anniversary gift the present administration can give Nigerians before the country hits the golden age of 50 years is a comprehensive programme of economic turnaround.

The NESG President said the Federal Government ought to have truly invested in infrastructure in view of the enormity of the decay met on ground when the incumbent administration came into power on May 29, 2007.

"We have to lift up our country from morass and decay. We should move away from drudgery and backwardness especially as we mark our 50th independence anniversary in two years time," he said.

According to him, effort should be put in place to uplift the private sector and that everything should be done to remove obstacles to the growth of the sector.

Government, he said, should also put in place, adequate incentives to boost the private sector.

Lamenting the poor state of security in the country, Ohabunwa said "Government should come alive to its responsibility of guaranteeing security. Life is cheap in Nigeria and everybody is going about it as if it is normal. Police chiefs are smiling as if it is normal and nobody seems to be bordered," the NESG chief lamented.

An economist and former lecturer in the department of economics, University of Lagos, Professor Kayode Familoni, said the best gift the Yar'Adua administration can give the Nigerian people is a better standard of living.

Noting that the administration is on course in its bid to achieve its Seven Point Agenda, Familoni, however, noted that the need to accomplish the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2016 and the urgent need to significantly improve the moral dictates of the people should be the main focus of this administration.

"We need to focus on the rural development agenda so that the people could experience a rising standard of living.

"It is not only necessary to revitalise the urban landscape but the development of the rural sector. That will be a better anniversary gift to Nigerians," the former university don said.

In his contribution on the expectations for the nation's 50th anniversary, former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki said: "Government, should build on the achievements of the past and take a better position in meeting the world energy requirement. Government should also continue the holistic approach it has adopted in the Niger Delta and projects with multiplier effects should be sited in the region as well as develop human resources to tap into the opportunity."

On infrastructure, he said. "Infrastructure decay only when you allow them to decay. And to prevent such decay, what government must do is to maintain them and cut wastages to make enough savings to have the infrastructure maintained."

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, (SAN) said: "One day, we'll arrive at a destination for Nigeria to take-off because things are so bad". Agbakoba who relayed his experience in the traffic on Friday night added: "I was in the traffic till about midnight. I don't think that's anything to write about. Nigerians just want the basic needs of life and that's all".

Specifically, on his expectations when Nigeria eventually turns 50, Agbakoba said: "If we get it right, things will fall in place. But we have not located the basis of our unity. That was what Chief Enahoro said today (THISDAY on Saturday) in your newspaper. The challenge is how we can work together to realise the energy and potential of this country".

The former NBA President reiterated that Nigeria is no doubt a good country, "but if we locate that answer; solve that puzzle, things will flow".

Dr. Eyimofe Atake (SAN) also, "would like to see at 50 years of Nigeria, a country where the rule of law prevails; where the principles of equity, fairness and justice are applied in all facets of life, particularly for the people of Niger Delta who feel cheated by the current structure of what is called Nigeria".

Atake said he would be glad to be part of a country "where sycophancy becomes less chronic". He noted that the "body of politicians are largely full of sycophants and persons who are in the office for their personal advantage", adding "corruption is endemic from top to the bottom.

"I would like to see much less of corruption. I would like to see better infrastructure in a country so endowed with so much talent and wealth. But regrettably, I can only wish; dream, as my wishes are most unlikely to happen in two years time", he said.

Also speaking on the issue, National Publicity Secretary of Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Lai Muhammed said: "we'll all be proud of". Particularly, Muhammed said he looks forward to seeing a Nigeria where there will be value system and a worthy legacy for generations unborn.

"It goes beyond road construction and all that. Once there's the value system, everything will fall in line. We are tired of losing our best brains. Today, Nigeria makes headline only if there is crisis in the Niger Delta or we are ranked high in corruption rating. We want a change from these. But as long as they don't allow the wishes of the people to prevail, we'll remain where we are," he said.

National Secretary of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Saidu Kumo, who described the 48th Independence Anniversary as a blessing from God said, :"If it pleases God, It's a rare occasion. What we expect from Yar'Adua by the 50th anniversary of Nigeria, which is the diamond age of Nigeria, is improved economy, fundamental to the improvement of the economy and an end to power outage that is improved power sector development. This is the root to economic development in Nigeria. Secondly, and most importantly, peace in the Niger-Delta. This is because this is the background to the Nigerian economy."

Sir Victor Umeh, national Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in his contribution called for a robust electoral reform.

"What we require is electoral reforms. By electoral reforms, we say let the votes count. Where we have the votes being taken into cognisance, democracy is stabilised. Democracy will usher in improved economy. Before then, there must be improved power-sector reforms. If all these are done, Nigeria is on the path of greatness."

From Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Festus Akanbi, Olawale Olaleye and Adewole Ajao

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