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…says it would prevent political chaos, lists suggestions
Canadian based Nigerian cleric and development expert, Pastor Amos Dada PhD, P. Eng, FNSChE, has said it was high time the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu led government took concrete steps to reduce pains for Nigerians given the reality of hardship in the country. He added that doing so earnestly would prevent political chaos. He also suggested ways the pains could be reduced. Pastor Dada made the remarks in his press statement entitled : “Nigeria at 66: From Promise to Pains”, to herald the 66th anniversary of Nigeria.
He said: “As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, I salute our nation and honour the leaders, past and present, whose service and contributions have helped shape its journey. We wish future leaders wisdom, courage and a deep commitment to responsible leadership, so they may build a more peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria.
“Recently, I watched series of the documentary on Chief Obafemi Awolowo which to me offers an important lesson for Nigeria. His government in the Western Region pursued ambitious social development, including free education. When Awolowo left the premiership for federal politics, Samuel Ladoke Akintola succeeded him in 1959. Their political disagreement later contributed to the 1962 Western Region crisis; further turmoil, including the violence known as “Operation Wetie,” formed part of the wider breakdown of the First Republic before the January 1966 coup. Historians describe this as a complex national crisis, with several causes, not one event alone.
“The lesson is twofold: bold development can improve people’s lives, and responsible leadership must protect democratic institutions when political disagreements arise. As Nigerians approach another general election, citizens should expect candidates to present practical, costed agendas with measurable commitments. Political leaders and their supporters must reject violence and respond to election results peacefully and with magnanimity. INEC, in turn, must ensure that every vote counts and that the elections are free, fair and credible,” he said.
Pastor Dada listed ways that could prevent political chaos and pains for the people as practicing responsible governance and protecting the security of citizens, protecting free education and improving on NELFUND, equipping and staffing hospitals among others.
He said: government should gurrantee free, compulsory primary and secondary education, with funding that reaches schools and supports learning. Progressively expand tuition-free access in public tertiary institutions, like Obafemi Awolowo did when Nigeria has no crude oil, while improving NELFUND so eligible students receive disbursements promptly. NELFUND should be a reliable bridge for students who need support, not a substitute for the commitment to accessible education.
“Upgrade at least one major referral hospital in each of the six geopolitical zones, with clear standards for staffing, equipment, essential medicines and specialist services. Publish annual hospital-readiness results and the number and cost of publicly funded overseas medical referrals for conditions treatable in Nigeria.
“Government should focus on giving the nation power, not empty, failed electioneering campaigns. Expand grid connections, mini-grids and other local power solutions for homes, farms and businesses. Set a four-year target for new, verified connections and report it publicly. For industrial areas, measure power availability, outages and cost each month so businesses can see whether electricity is becoming more dependable, “ he added.
The cleric stated that building an industrial economy that creates jobs and adds value locally will reduced pain, adding that :
“Develop industrial and agro-processing clusters where electricity, roads, water, finance and permits work together. Choose locations based on local strengths and publish a four-year target for each cluster.”
Dada also suggested reducing fuel costs through competition, efficient refining and targeted relief as another means to reduce pain. He said : “Publish the components of petrol prices, including refining or import costs, transport, taxes and margins. Set clear, independently audited milestones for local refineries, including actual operating capacity and litres supplied; NNPC’s recent agreement on restarting and expanding its refineries makes transparent delivery targets especially important. Creating paid work will move households out of poverty. Government should deliberately focus on moving people out of poverty. Creating enabling environment for investors to create jobs and tax incentives where necessary. Raising farm productivity, lowering food costs and developing mineral resources responsibly will reduce pain.Therefore, government should Improve irrigation, storage, extension services, access to finance and feeder roads, while protecting farmers and rural communities from violence.”
Lauding President Tinubu’s efforts on infrastructural development, Pastor Dada said : “The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway are major projects intended to improve national connectivity. Their construction is laudable, and the public should receive regular reports on cost, progress, quality and completion. At the same time, Nigeria must repair and maintain existing federal roads, many of which carry daily traffic for families, farmers and businesses. Publish an annual road-condition scorecard, list roads needing urgent repairs, and report kilometres repaired, project costs, completion dates and road-safety improvements.”
Another way to reduce pain for Nigerians according to Pastor Dada is to overhaul the corruption-control system and make corruption unattractive. His words:”
Anti-corruption institutions must do their work impartially and consistently, regardless of a person’s party, position or connections. Nigeria needs a comprehensive review of the whole corruption-control system: the mandates, independence and coordination of its agencies; procurement and budgeting safeguards; asset declarations; whistle-blower protections; and the tracking of public funds. Prevention should make theft harder; investigation should be evidence-based; and prosecution should follow due process. Publish annual results on investigations, court outcomes, recovered assets and how those assets are returned to public use. The aim is to make corruption a high-risk, low-reward choice for anyone entrusted with public service.
“ Nigeria’s future will be shaped by the choices we make and the leadership we demand. As we celebrate our 66th independence anniversary and venture to another general election, let us look beyond slogans and ask for clear plans, honest service and measurable results. Let us reject violence, protect every citizen’s right to vote and hold those elected accountable for their promises.
“Nigerians are tired of unfulfilled political promises. Nigeria’s pain can give way to progress when responsible leadership and active citizenship work together. May God grant our nation’s leaders wisdom and integrity, strengthen our unity, and help us build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria for generations to come, “ he prayed.
