A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
Dear President,
Your excellency Sir. The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. I feel so happy writing this letter to you to discuss my utmost concern on the issues battling Nigeria as a Nation. I know this may not get to you, but I hope it gets a wide circulation, and you get to see it someday. Hope the workload is not too much to bear? Well, you are born to serve. And, how’s Aso Rock fairing, Sir?
Nigeria is the Giant of Africa. And we have to retain that pride till eternity. Nigeria is a West African Country, and became independent in the 196O. Unarguably, the most notable Nation in Africa. Nigeria is endowed with natural resources ranging from petroleum; natural gas, to native metals, as I’ve seen, and read in Metallurgy. Nigeria is a great Nation. What happened to us?
It was said, Oil was first discovered in Olobiri in 1956. We hoped, and believed our breakthrough is near. The dawning of the reality sets in. From one of the top oil producing Countries to none now. Amazingly beautiful. What happened there? Sir, I want you to review the cause of that. I’m saying all these because I know you’ve been in for the service of the people for a long time now.
It’s really a pity that with all the aforementioned resources, she’s still languishing, thereby putting the hopes of millions of Nigerians in jeopardy. The economic success of the Nation is dissatisfying and not encouraging. With all the Economists, certified and renowned Business managers, the Nation is still at that solid point. The Engineers that could design new, more efficient machines. There’s no means for them to do so. The supply rate is declining, while the demand rate is improving.
Sir, with the incessant militant attacks that have resulted in loss of many lives, 'such as the case of Boko Haram’, the Country has lost middle men technical manpower who would have orchestrated the quick economic development of the Country, those who would have contributed immensely to the poor economic growth of the Country have been killed and maimed in the needless militant attacks.
Before I move further, I’ve seen people write on this, and it’s generated a lot of controversial opinion linked with ethnic groups, religions, and tribes. And I personally think it’s about high time I shared my opinion, and views on this dilemma, and propose long lasting solution to the challenges, erupting from bad governance - food scarcity, unemployment, inadequate health care, education declination, power outage, poor roads, hunger, etc.
The failure of governance in Nigeria manifests in the declining ability of political leaders to recognize systemic risks such as election fraud, terrorist attacks, herder-farmer conflict, armed banditry, and police brutality and put in place the necessary measures to navigate these challenges.
The issue of tribe, ethnicity, and religion plays a vital role in the killing of the development of the Nation. Nigeria will not be great if that issue is not aside, and act on credibility, vibrancy, and accountability, I’m not sorry to say sir. This has blinded the eyes of many citizens, letting them make decisions based on the aforementioned factors. The development of a state should be read beyond that boundary. Create an avenue for them to see and believe that. Majority of citizen are acting based on that basis, even at job interviews.
Sir, I won’t deny the fact that during your tenure, the issues of kidnapping, terrorist attacks, and other vices have drastically dropped to its barest minimum. I believe if you organize a body that’d be saddled with the responsibility of scrutinizing the affairs of elections, under full trust. I’m a fan of democracy, and as much as I do, how’d a party in a state win all the local government chairmanship elections? That deserves a thorough investigation, and let justice be brought to place.
The scarcity of food is another major problem. Everybody is angry. They say “A hungry man is an angry man". It’s really a pity that a cup of beans is #500 now, and a cup of rice is #250. The most surprising one is pepper. Pepper is now the latest gold in the City. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but it really is. A small plate of pepper is a thousand naira now. Which way sir?
There’s also nothing to write about the health department. The modern day facilities and equipments needed to carry out test are not available, as a result of financial incapacities in the public hospitals. I want you to note that. This is not a good one for an emergency case. It could cause alot of damages. This is really important to those that stay in rural areas, with little or no medical care. Going to the cities for test is not really a good one. Look into it sir.
Education too has lost its value. A lot of the students are now engaged in criminal activities; with the hope that education is valued no more, causing them to relent, and energized their power on something else.
And unemployment is the major thing that killed the zeal for education among the Youths. I mean, what’s the point of studying hard for 4,5 to 6 years, and you ended up moving from one place to another, searching for a meagre job, as a means of survival. Is it worth it, Sir?
The issue of corruption should be a major concern for a Nation at a growing stage. A major cankerworm. I’d not call Nigeria a developed Nation. It’s a developing one. Corruption in Nigeria has made the qualifed ones unsuitable, and made the dull, rich, and connected ones suitable. How could that be? And this is happening in every sector. Dive into this carefully, and severely punish the concerned individuals. Enough is enough. The stats/numbers are there, Nigeria is one of the most corrupted Nations.
This case of corruption extended to everywhere…. that the damages borne out of it can never be overemphasized. It’s become a part of the system. Pass it to the House; an individual, a body, or organization seen involving in it will be greatly penalized. This’d bring about qualified individual, and would cause a change in the settings. Causing for improvement in the development with their skills, and technical-know-how. Do something.
The protests by young Nigerians against police brutality, the EndSARS protests, exposed the gross human rights abuses suffered by many Nigerians at the hands of the institution created to protect them. More than about the police itself, the protests demonstrated the youth’s discontentment with governance throughout the country.
Power outage also contributed immensely to the poor economic growth of the Country. A country will only grow if there’s a consistent power supply, and this is particularly related to the industries. It’s a prerequisite for an industry to enjoy a non-stop light for easy run of the organization. Sir, you can ask the price of diesel now, and see what’s causing all these major companies, and the growing ones to survive. This would give them an avenue to better improve themselves, and it would take a good turn on the GNP. The price of petrol too is killing the masses. Sir, give a concern.
Also Sir, I see no reason for the upper and lower chamber. This has been on for years, and I can tell you there’s nothing like development with that. Yet, they collect millions of naira every month, and other district/constituency projects signed. Sir, it would be highly appreciated if the upper chamber is scrapped. There’s more to what is ravaging us in the Country than channelling the funds of the Nation into a bottomless pot. Reflect, Sir. The HoR are closer to the Citizen at the lower level.
I’d advise the Country do more of exportation than importation. And this has eaten us so deep. It’s disheartening to know that majorities of the stuffs used in Nigeria is mainly from China/Japan. If we reverse the situation, the Country would be great. There are numerous people that can make something useful for the Nation. Just so the same way I’d love the Government to strategically introduce the use of Innoson Motors. Several others out there. Promoting ourselves will better create an awareness out there, and attract the foreign countries to us.
Since you’ve resumed office, it’s been a notable one. And your efforts to redeem this Nation is highly commendable. As they say; “You don’t give a drastic situation a drastic approach". Your approaches to all have been really technical, and wisdom-based. I know you’d surely work something out of it. I strongly believe in your administration, and hope to see you perform the wonders you’ve always been known for very soon. You are a great manager, and you’d manage the affairs of the Nation to the desired point.
“I am taking baby steps as the president, not marching in a hurry, being ready to listen, maintain an open door policy, let the freedom flow, let the confidence return to Nigeria..." — President Tinubu. I believe.
With all I have said, I really hope you do make some moves on them. It’s just my view, though. And I just have to air it as a concerned citizen that I am..
Thank you, Sir President.
©Engr. FATIU O. BELLO.🤍
