THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT (ONE YEAR AFTER)
Aug 16th, 2008 by admin
The President of Nigeria Umaru Musa Yar’Adua marked a year in office recently, where he admitted to trying to get to know his country, Nigeria. Really!!! Very well said, In any case there is no need to lose sleep; the President has three more years to go. So while Nigerians watch as their president processes the country, work they say must go on.
Before, he assumed office his health was the subject of controversy. The President suffers from a Kidney problem. Since resumption he has undergone several medical trips abroad and many say the country is not functioning due to his health problems. But should Nigerians focus on the health of the president? The issue at stake at this point should be, Can and will he deliver.
His first year as President, Nigeria did not witness a dramatic change in governance. Factions still exist amongst the different ethnic groups in Nigeria, problems of power supply, transportation system is still inefficient, – example motorable roads are needed to save millions of roads users, the education system needs improvement. The country still has pupils and students who go to school under trees, millions are not in school and over fifty percent of people who pass the school certificate examination cannot gain admission into the University. Lives are not secure, high rate of unemployment, inadequate and sometimes non existent health facilities and de-industrialization of the country.
These are some of the issues that the president has to resolve. On a lighter note, one must at least credit him with being the first civilian leader to have taken over from another. Also, Nigerian’s first University educated President. He was a former lecturer at the Katsina College of Arts, science and Technology.
Some Nigerian’s say he is too slow, that he needs to break out of his shell and prove his critics wrong. Nevertheless, time will tell if he has the political will to stir the country in the right path. However, his one year in office has been criticised by some who view his election with mixed feelings.
Arguments include the ‘northernisation of power and top positions in the country. His bias attitude towards appointments to key positions in the country. The immediate removal and subsequent demotion of the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu who effectively fought corruption while in office. The demotion has raised questions on the anti corruption crusade championed by the former EFCC boss.
The formal handing over of Bakassi, Peninsula to Cameroon. The handing over of the 1,000 square kilometre of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon was allegedly unilaterally carried out by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and implemented under President Yar Adua
It was reported that the handing over of the oil rich Bakassi to Cameroon as planned was to avoid possible sanctions from the United Nations. President Umaru YarAdua described the transfer of Bakassi to Cameroon as “very painful to all” but says Nigeria has a duty to fulfil its international commitments. Not handing the Bakassi over would see Nigeria being treated as a Pariah nation.
Then the announcement by the Federal Government to change the much criticised Niger Delta summit to a dialogue, the question is what is the difference between a summit and a dialogue and will a dialogue be acceptable to the people of the Niger –Delta..
Issues that have plagued Nigeria have to be tackled head long for peace to reign and a massive campaign embarked upon to re educate its citizens on the way forward As Nigeria continues to enjoy democracy, almost a decade now; good governance should be a priority. This will pave the way for the necessary development and growth of the country.
Nigerians have high expectations and are waiting with bated breath for President Yar Adua to move the country forward.