For your victory at the just concluded presidential election, I say big congratulations Sir! It is really a victory worth celebrating given the tedious campaigns, the tough competition and most importantly the tasks ahead! To be elected to lead and govern almost 200 million people is neither an easy feat nor a small task. As the celebratory visits and messages pour in, it is important Mr. President to sit back and have a deep reflection on the country you are leading and ask a few but very important questions- First, what is the purpose of this nation called Nigeria? Second, what is the vision for this nation in the next 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years? Third, are we as a nation and people in the right direction and do we have what it takes to achieve the vision. Fourth, what did you do right and wrong in the last four years in line with expectations and vision for Nigeria. As you have another four years to lead and direct this nation, the fifth question is what are those key tasks expected of you that will help Nigeria achieve her short, medium and long term visions.
Mr. President, at 76 years, you have seen it all and your utmost concern should be the kind of legacy you will leave behind. Looking at your life trajectories and contributions to national development, you come across as a full-time recipient of Nigeria’s generosity. You will make the list of the first five of the very few Nigerians that have immensely benefitted from Nigeria far more than they can ever repay. I implore you to deeply appreciate that your privileged position and achievements cannot be attributed only to your hard work and intellect but mainly due to the good heartedness and generosity of Nigerians and God. I beseech you to focus on Nigeria. A constant question that should be on your mind Mr. President is ‘How to give back to Nigerians for all the unmerited received gifts and blessings? What legacy are you leaving behind?
Mr. President, our dear nation is terribly divided; the economy is about to go into recession again; there is extreme poverty and frightful insecurity pervades. Nigeria is in a serious crisis and urgently requires serious thinking and governance. It is the reason why your victory was somehow greeted with muted joy even among your supporters and the business community. As you celebrate your victory and set to begin your last four years, you need to be sensitive to how you will be remembered. Will you prefer to be remembered as the President that exacerbated Nigeria’s socio-economic and political problems or the one that significantly contributed to the sustainable amelioration and resolution of our problems?
With the belief that you will prefer the latter, the question then is what you should do to be remembered as such. Of all the problems facing Nigeria such as corruption, insecurity, economic crisis, unemployment and lack of infrastructure, the most devastating one is the lack of unity- the intense division in the country. It is the fulcrum causation or solution to many of our problems. With unity, fixing the next major problem which is the economy becomes a lot easier. As you won the presidential election with about 15 million votes, it is important to be sensitive to the feelings of about 11 million Nigerians that voted for Atiku Abubarkar and the over 150 million Nigerians that did not vote. You have been elected to lead and be President of all Nigerians! While your caution to your supporters to be humble in celebration is commendable, what will be more important and impactful are your actions, inactions and policies of your government.
Mr. President, as there is strength in unity, enthroning peace and unity will unleash the productive capacity and innovation of every section of Nigeria and launch Nigeria on the path of sustainable development. Do whatever it takes in terms of policies, actions and inactions, inclusive appointments, dialogue and engagement to rescue the precarious state of our dear country Nigeria. While you have rejected calls for the restructuring of the country, I passionately implore you to rethink your position and appreciate how it will enthrone unity and economic prosperity across the nation. Its demand is wide and cuts across almost every region of our dear country. That is the main reason why Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, PANDEF, middle belt forum and Northern Elders Forum supported and endorsed Atiku Abubarkar.
Mr President, wise counsels of young and old Nigerians, elder statesmen and women such as Chief Emeka Anyoku, Pa Edwin Clark, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Professor Ango Abdulahi, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and many others that are genuinely interested in the unity and progress of our dear country should be appreciated and utilized.
On the economic front Mr. President, I implore you to quickly assemble a competent economic team made up of some members of your forthcoming cabinet and others selected purely on merit. A suggestion will be to include all past CBN governors, six renowned academic economists chosen from one top university from each of the six geo-political zones and three members from the Organized Private Sector (OPS). It can be described as a Council of Economic Advisers and headed by a thorough-bred economist with an unconvincing inclination for home-grown solutions. Their first task will be to thoroughly review the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to ensure its effective workability in line with our socio-cultural, political and economic institutional realities. Just as our problems are clear, the solutions are not farfetched. All that is required is a courageous, committed economic team and leadership with proactive, innovative solutions to our problems.
With your acclaimed integrity Mr. President, the second urgent task on the economy is the need to properly support Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to effectively perform its functions. It is bad economic management for our debts to be unsustainably rising while many assets are left wasting or underutilized. Of particular concern is the NNPC. Very urgent is the need to partially privatize or lease it out. Alternatively a joint partnership similar to the one for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) should be created for NNPC. The more we delay, the more the value declines. It is important you act now so that we don’t latter regret the cancellation and refund of $750 million offered by Dangote group for two of our refineries some years ago.
There is no better legacy than for you to be remembered as the President that put Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic growth, the leader that unified the country and provided the environment where every Nigeria irrespective of tribe or religion, state of origin or gender is able to achieve his legitimate potentials and aspirations. While I wish you the best, be assured of our prayers that God of creation will in his infinite mercy and wisdom guide you right and help you to know the truth to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign and reign and reign!
Franklin Nnaemeka Ngwu (PhD)
Dr. Ngwu is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy, Finance and Risk Management, Lagos Business School and a Member, Expert Network, World Economic Forum.
