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By Jonathan Ekarika
Every new democratic dispensation comes with huge expectations, and rightly so. Since Nigeria returned to full-fledged democratic rule in 1999, at the end of every four years or eight years, as the case may be, the electorate usher in a new democratic dispensation with fanfare and much expectations. At such times, the responsibilities of steering the country to new heights rest on the newly elected chief executive officer and commander-in-chief. Such were the enormous responsibilities which fell on the lap of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. Many people will argue that Obasanjo did not perform optimally, while many people will argue vehemently that he is the best and most efficient President Nigeria has ever had. Was it easy for Obasanjo when he took over the reins in Aso Rock? Absolutely not. Musa Yar’ Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari all had their initial teething challenges, although death cut short Yar’Adua’s reign. Today, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in the saddle and, since he was sworn into office, Nigeria seems to have caught fire from all angles. People are complaining, there is angst in the land as the new President attempts to steady the ship of state.
Tinubu is by every stretch of the imagination a seasoned administrator. There is no doubt that he means well for Nigeria. In the past, before he became the governor of Lagos State, he staked his life to fight military rule and enthrone democracy. That, from all ramifications, is the spirit of nationalism. It, therefore, questions the belief that he would feel less patriotic as the number one citizen of the country. Let us be clear, since the current administration came to power with Tinubu at the helm, there have been lots of economic reforms and tough decisions which have temporarily created hardship in the land. Rightly so, Nigerians are complaining and they have every reason to complain. They are justified to complain. However, there is a submission that rescues every tough condition at the beginning of every season – devastation is a necessary prerequisite for renewal, forces must collide before that can cohere. Tinubu’s initial economic policies may not have resonated well with Nigerians or reflected positively in the forces of demand and supply, goods and services, but these are teething problems which the country will overcome as the new administration settles down.
Tinubu inherited an economy on the cusp of collapse. Therefore, it is expected that the terrain at the beginning of his tenure will be tough and it is tough. There are indications that the new administration is spiritedly working to negotiate tough terrain and steer the country in the part of economic recovery. While not making excuses for the president, unfortunately, Nigerians forget that we are practising a presidential system of government where power is shared between the federal government and the states. Nigerians are not interested in what their governors are doing. They are not interested in what their elected lawmakers are doing. They are not interested in what is going on at the local government level. Everyone is focusing on what is going on in Aso Rock, thereby putting unnecessary pressure on the presidency while the governors and other elected officials frolic in incompetence as they idle away. Is Tinubu doing his best to make the lives of Nigerians and their conditions of living better? Absolutely yes. If we critically examine the issues in the country without bias, we will all realise that the current government is responsibly committed to lifting Nigeria out of nadir according to the promises made by the president during electioneering campaigns.
Rome was not built in a day. To expect that Nigeria’s economic and social conditions will automatically turn around after one year is an accurate example of building castles in the air. Slowly and gradually, the Tinubu administration has taken off but there are signs to believe that the government has the interest of Nigerians at heart. The students’ loan scheme is a wonderful policy which will lift millions of Nigerian university students out of poverty and enable them to be financially stable to complete their various academic pursuits. When the president announced the students’ loan scheme, critics did not believe it will see the light of the day. But today, the scheme is about to take off as the experts finalise all the modalities for its effective operations. It is believed that more than three million Nigerian students will benefit from the loan. It is a well-thought-out policy by the government which deserves applause and commendation from Nigerians. It is counter-productive for Nigerians to criticise every policy of the government because it does not yield immediate results. Our penchant and proclivities for knee-jerk approaches and immediate results are the reason many policies of government do not last for a long time. Nigerians must be patient with government policies to allow enough time to mature.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is a bold step by the Tinubu administration to ease commerce, trade, and movement of persons, goods and services from Lagos to the South-South part of the country. The idea of the coastal highway is well thought out although it is going to take some time to be completed. Unfortunately, many Nigerians have obdurately refused to see the gains and advantages of the coastal highway. Upon completion, it will play a major part in boosting the Nigerian economy and will serve as a source of revenue for the government. Many people have raised the issue of the cost of 15 trillion naira. But what they do not know is that the project will not be funded 100% by the federal government because there will be investors who would provide part of the capital through counterpart funding. Basically, the coastal highway will be done under Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Financing in which case the contractors will arrange for the financing. Nigerians should celebrate this initiate and encourage the federal government to do more of such projects geared towards uplifting the economic and social fortunes of Nigerians.
It is not all doom and gloom for Nigeria as some critics may want the world to believe. As Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks one year in office, it is necessary for Nigerians to look at the positives, help in nation-building, support the government, but also indulge in objective criticism which will ultimately keep the government on its toes to do more. Some of Tinubu’s ministers are doing exceedingly well. Wale Edun has availed himself well. Nyesom Wike is turning Abuja around by spearheading various infrastructural projects. Dave Umahi has done well as the minister of works by enhancing Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure. The minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has demonstrated commendable capacity to ensure that the Nigerian economy is diversified for optimum performance. Dele Alake the minister of solid minerals has also done exceedingly well by harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources for economic development. While these ministers and others have done well, the Tinubu administration needs the support of Nigerians to flourish for the benefit of all the citizens. Nation building is a collaborative effort and every citizen must be involved in it. Although it may be tough now, Nigerians should remember that ‘after thunder comes rain.’
• Ekarika writes from Uyo, Akaw Ibom State
