Mr President, here we stand at the start of a new dawn and stare down the barrels of history. We have yet again been presented with the opportunity to turn around this drifting barge called Nigeria. I am not sure how many more chances we will get. We have had the fairest elections in our history despite a few hiccups here and there. It is now time to stop looking back and face our front. I know many sages and those much wiser than me (yes there are a few) have said it but just to reiterate and remind you Sir, our newly elected President, of OUR priority list.
1. Power. Give us a constant power supply. I hear and see, that inroads are being made to privatise this sector which will make things better for US however I do not expect the current stakeholders who benefit greatly from the lack of power in the country to give up that fight easily. Mr President sir, this is one of those things that is non-negotiable. IT MUST BE DONE. You must take the fight to them on our behalf. Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.
2. Corruption. I will not join the bandwagon clamouring for a total end to corruption as that is very naive. Corruption exists in all countries and at all levels. No Sir, what I am asking for is to allow the forces that are fighting corruption free rein to get into the ring without their hands tied behind their back. We have several agencies that given the green light from you would make a severe dent in corrupt practices. It has been done before. It can be done again. However they need your full support and approval. Sir,again this is non negotiable.
3. Natural resources - Sir, between the resources buried deep in the soil and the resources above ground Nigeria is one of the most blessed countries with an abundance of both. Maybe due to this abundance we have been profligate to date with them. Now is the time to actually harness and manage them properly. We need to firstly develop our large youth population and give them a direction in life. For most, if not all, their lives so far all they have faced into is a world of corruption, greed, cronyism, unemployment and carnage. Sir, you have it within you to show them a different way of life. Surround yourself with the good people that will help you to motivate these youths, maximise our oil production, leverage our vast natural gas resources, develop our tourism sector, fertilise our agricultural landscape and make Nigeria once again a force to be reckoned with. It can, and must be done. Sir.
Sir if you are able to complete these three tasks over the next four years or at least lay a solid unshakable foundation on which they can be further developed then you will go down in history as one of our greatest leaders. However, if not then you will be seen as someone who just rode his Goodluck. The ball Sir is now in your court.
As we celebrate your inauguration today, and being the eternal optimist, I say to you.. It's a new, a new dawn, a new life....and I'm feeling good. Hope I can say the same next year and the year after.
To close I wish you a great inauguration and hope that the rumours of the purported budget for this event are wholly untrue and greatly exaggerated. Finally,if I may be so bold as to offer you some friendly advice? Please always divide any budget you are presentedto sign by 100 before signing. I do this with Iyawo all the time and it works a treat. Try it. You will be amazed how much can be saved.
