Dear Sir,
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
I am writing today to congratulate you on your re-election as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal republic of Nigeria, not because I am your fan neither do I fall into the category of early well wishers for the sake of recognition. This message is informed by the need to call your attention to the fact that beyond the victory at the poll, the major victory lies in being able to deliver your promises on one hand and your ability to meet the Nigeria people at the point of their needs on the other hand.
Elections, which in all honestly stands out compared to what we have had between 1999 and now but not necessarily the best we can have, have come and gone but the Nigerian problems have deepened calling for immediate attention hence, leaving no time to champagne or parties.
The wish of every voter is to see the coming government perform; you need not be told that beyond the promises you made during your campaigns most of which in my opinion do not represent the ideal solution to the Nigerian crises, the need to get to work almost immediately cannot be emphasised enough.
You have promised to ensure construction of airports across the country if voted in. Such promise makes me wonder what the job of the various financial advisers and Minister of Finance is. How this is achievable in the space of four years is also an issue to carefully consider except the plan for a tenure extension or a 7 year single term plan is launched; you may want to argue government is a continuous process but the golden question is, how much do we need these airports and what do we suffer if we don’t have them?
The cost implication of such investment would only shift attention from pressing items that would immediately reflect changes in the lives of Nigerians and give hope for a better future. Take some time to think about it. Yes, you have made these pronouncements but by dictates of objective reality, more airports are not urgent need of Nigerians.
Mr. President, you have also promised establishment of more universities, that is yet another disturbing promise which makes me think Nigerians have voted not necessarily because of the promises made but for reasons attached to personal views. You probably should mandate your minister of education, whoever that is going to be, to move round tertiary institutions in Nigeria and report back to you the extent of decay. Adding more universities would amount not only to waste of scarce resources but also imply disorderliness in our priorities as a nation.
Have you thought about investing these resources in existing universities to bring them to world standards? What about the take home of our lecturers and teachers? What about involving private companies in funding projects and increasing their quota for scholarship for indigent students? These are about some of the meaningful steps to be taken to save the ivory towers from the decay recorded over time.
The problem of insecurity stares at you and I am sure you know this much. You are in the know that no matter how much change you intend to effect, if people cannot go about their normal lives without the fear of kidnap or bomb blasts which have being on the increase in the recent time, then you have achieved nothing.
An approach would be for you to be more detailed and firmer in your approach to curbing this menace. What comes to my mind are the sad occurrences of explosions and innocent lives lost across the country and also your statement that a particular organisation wasn’t responsible for the bomb blast. I hope you would be mindful of your assertions on other issues as I don’t pray for such occurrences again.
Mr. President, you have promised to bring culprits to book, we have heard nothing so far and nobody is being arraigned for these offences, is that suggesting culprits can walk freely while families go to sleep everyday hoping for justice that may never come? It sure would if you don’t make it a priority. Nigeria needs to be safe.
All security outfits must be well funded and adequately empowered and remunerated. Joining the Nigerian security outfits as a result of lack of job must be discouraged; passion and merit must be allowed to govern enrolment. The welfare package of men of the respective forces should be given serious attention, without these, we are likely to dance round this matter over and over again.
Sir, your promises to invest in local contents and revive the manufacturing capability of Nigeria would amount to nothing if the borders are carelessly flung open. For a very long time, our country has remained a dumping ground so much so that foreign companies feel more comfortable with making gains than local institutions. I make bold to say that Nigerians, given the right and enabling environment can come up with products that meet world standards.
The policies on commerce are so poor and tax system is so moribund that people have resolved to cutting corners and under-delivering standards to make up for other sundry expenses that the government can readily help with.
Your Excellency now is the time to act on power and oil. So much lip service has been paid to these key issues that one begins to ask when exactly the action plans would be rolled out.
Brilliant ideas have been suggested at different forums and events to resurrect the sector in question but as it stands, we are getting almost nothing as a people. May I challenge you Mr. President that until you take decisive steps on how best to deal with these situations especially individuals who are selfishly feeding fat on the rot in our power sector, we still would get nothing from it?
If there is a best time to kick start implementation, it was twelve years ago, a better time is now Sir.
Sir, you may also want to take time to check with the Minister of Health, whether the current one or whoever is coming in, how many of the child death recorded so far can be avoided, same for other related deaths and breakout of diseases. The health sector is also begging for immediate attention. Sir, have you asked how many governors, ministers or members of the respective houses go to the General hospitals? You may want to argue it is a question of taste and availability of resources but I would argue that such tastes are funded by the monies belonging to the public. If they have done a good job with the health sector, why fly abroad to treat common ailments? Do you feel anything when you read about the exodus of professionals all in the pursuit of better working conditions? These are challenges Mr. President. You can’t have this much on your table and have spare time for wild jubilations.
Sir, this is a country whose future lies in the youth, the need to show good examples is very important. Celebrating the likes of Bode George is far from the kind of lessons future leaders should be taught, I would advise you distance yourself from such gatherings and pay more attention to your promises as amended. This is to the extent that presidential pardon must be carefully and well thought of before being granted. Let me also quickly add that the urgency demanded by the Nigeria crises does not leave room for compensating friends, associates and party members with ministerial appointments, no! Let the round pegs stay in the round holes and encourage people to return to trade; politics after all is not supposed to be an occupation.
Sir, Nigerians are dying daily across the globe all because our foreign policies are porous. We must not encourage crime or make cases for disgruntled Nigerians who soil the name of this nation but, there is a need to ensure justice has been done. There is a need to redefine our relationship with the outside world and show to them that Nigerian citizens are human beings and must be treated as such.
Also, the Judiciary must be allowed to function to its capacity. It should leave up to its role as the hope for the common man. This country has witnessed many cases of compromised justice, a situation that has in turn encouraged jungle justice and crime rate. You must lead the way and have everybody learn that no one is above the sacrosanct law guiding our existence as a people.
Mr. President, this list is long and the truth is whether or not they are written, they stare right into your face and you know they exist.
Now you have in your hands the book of history and pen of posterity, write for yourself that which you would like to be read to generations yet unborn.
These are my words for you, bitter as they may sound, that is the way I feel. Wherever you feel spited, check again and you are likely to agree within yourself that it is an item you need to act upon.
Once again, you have being favoured by democracy, a sheer game of numbers. A phenomenon that has over time proven that while majority determines the outcome, majority at times can be very wrong in their judgement. Take this advantage to prove that the majority made the right decision by doing the right thing and serving the interest of the people.
Finally, you are assured of commendations when you get it right and truly this is what I like many true Nigerians which for; when you get it wrong however, expect the truth to be told and recommendations made. You don’t have to know it all so get people of deep knowledge and intelligence to work with you without interfering.
Be humble in victory and always remember there is no time for vendetta.
I wish you all the best.
Goodluck to you, President Goodluck.
God bless Nigeria.
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