President Bola Tinubu must make haste to lighten the overwhelming burden thrust on Nigerians by his sudden removal of fuel subsidy. The removal is quite laudable but the decision should have been taken by his cabinet. The government needs to act fast on the naira slump. Our national currency needs to be stabilised at about N650 to $1. The non-fixation of the naira has affected everything. The President needs to surround himself with very capable and honest people with an even spread through all the 36 states of the federation.
His present cabinet should be reduced immediately by half. It is an unwieldy cabinet as of now. No urgent decision can be arrived at, at such a gathering. Three permanent secretaries could be asked to merge the ministries and report back within 24 hours.
President Tinubu has no excuse for any failure. The President can study the successes of leaders like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the late Lateef Jakande. Outside the shores of Nigeria, he can also study the achievements of the late Chancellor of the then West Germany Konrad Adenauer and his economic minister, Prof. Ludwig Erhard. For the record, the late President Park of South Korea led his people to prosperity.
I will strongly advise Tinubu to watch local television channels every day, for about 30 minutes; He should not wholly rely on what his advisers write and tell him. He will thereby be presented with current realities in the country.
The value of the naira needs to be fixed quickly. I am not an economist to suggest solutions. As an 85-year-old person, I am finding the costs of my prescribed medical drugs that I have to buy prohibitively expensive. They are mostly treble in price to what was obtained before the President assumed office.
Nigeria does not need a military rule. It would be foolhardy for a military officer to try to rule Nigeria in the present circumstances. The Nigerian Army should safeguard Nigerian borders. We should leave the civilian politicians to sort out Nigeria. But politicians should not live an ostentatious lifestyle; they must be upright.
Tinubu must restore confidence in his capacity to govern. He must be ready to admit that some of his policies have had very negative and unintended consequences. The floating of the naira has brought misery to the populace. Nigeria is on the edge of a precipice and he must save this country from further bloodshed and misery. He must make the environment good for all. People have to be productive once more. An atmosphere conducive to business, farmers and all others is once again essential for productivity. The rains are early in 2024 and this portends a future good harvest. The army should safeguard Nigerian political borders, not warehouses.
Another thing expected from the President is that he must be economical in handling the financial situation of the country. He should avoid prioritising white elephant above social amenities and infrastructure which the country is in dire need of. If I were Tinubu, I would work with all vigour during this term of four years and lay a good foundation for the survival of Nigeria with all tribes living in harmony.
Olasupo Oluleye sent this piece via olasupoabidakun@gmail.com
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