•Work harder to improve economy, fight insecurity –NEF, ACF
• Seek solutions from unusual quarters to end hardship –Afenifere, YCE
•Restructure Nigeria, tackle insecurity– Ohanaeze, MBF, Ijaw Council, ADF, INC, PANDEF
•Improve on every dimension of governance -CISLAC
•Reduce taxes, create policies that’ll ensure survival of businesses –Manufacturers, others
By Magnus Eze, Vincent Kalu, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Oluseye Ojo, Noah Ebije, Kaduna and Stanley Uzoaru
On Wednesday May 29, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be marking his first anniversary in office as President of the world’s largest black nation.
It has, indeed, been a challenging year for most Nigerians. At his swearing-in on May 29 last year, the President announced the immediate removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol. That singular action spurred an immediate chaos in the polity. The pump prices of petrol were immediately jerked up by between 300 and 400 per cent per cent at virtually all filling stations across the country. This led to an instant hike in the prices of commodities as well as transportation costs. Since then, inflation has continued to soar, while unmitigated hardship has become the lot of Nigerians.
As he marks his first year in office, Nigerians are handing the president a list of tasks he must perform to ameliorate the hardship in the land and put Nigeria on the path to growth and progress.
Work harder to improve economy, fight insecurity – NEF, ACF
For the Northern Elders Forum,(NEF) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the two major areas that the president must focus on are the economy and insecurity.
Spokesperson of the NEF, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman noted: “First and foremost, Nigerians should want President Tinubu to prioritise the issue of security in the country. The recent increase in insecurity, including Boko Haram attacks, kidnapping, and armed banditry, has a devastating impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. It is essential that President Tinubu works to improve the security situation in the country, not only to ensure the safety of citizens but also to create a conducive environment for economic development and growth.
“Secondly, Nigerians should also want President Tinubu to focus on improving the economy. Nigeria faces significant economic challenges, including high inflation, unemployment, and a growing debt burden. President Tinubu should prioritize policies that promote economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty. This could include investing in infrastructure, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and diversifying the economy to reduce its reliance on oil.”
Other areas of focus for the president, according to NEF, include good governance and accountability. “Transparency and accountability are crucial for building trust between the government and the people, and President Tinubu should lead by example in this regard,” he said.
He stated that the president must also prioritise education and healthcare by investing in public schools and hospitals, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and improving the quality of education and healthcare services across the country. Tinubu, he said, must also fight corruption head-on as well as unite the country.
“Nigeria is a diverse country with many ethnic and religious groups, and it is important that the president works to bridge the divide between these groups and promote national unity. This may involve reaching out to different communities, listening to their concerns, and finding common ground to promote peace and harmony.”
In the words of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) spokesman, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, Nigerians need total economic rejuvenation and effective attention on insecurity across the country.
Hear him: “The immediate causes of the problems in the first one year in office have been policies put in place by government over the past months, including but not confined to removal of subsidies from the prices of petroleum products, floating of the Naira, and astronomical hike in the cost of poorly supplied electricity, increasing tariffs and taxes against the seemingly insensitive profligacy in spending by public officials, to list a few.
“ACF acknowledges the efforts of the federal, state and, to a little extent, local governments that have been making efforts to tackle the problems identified above. However, overall, it is undeniable, perhaps due to the quantum and widening dimension of the problems, that public policy response to the problems remains weak and ineffective at best.”
The organisation urged Nigerians to support the federal government and pray for God to intervene to help put an end to the nation’s many tribulations.
Seek solution from unusual quarters – Afenifere
Afenifere, a prominent Yoruba socio-political organisation, led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo has scored the Tinubu administration low in terms of performance in his first year. The group urged Tinubu to seek help from relevant people, even if they do not share the same socio-political and economic convictions.
National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, told Saturday Sun that the Tinubu’s administration has failed to address crucial issues such as the foreign exchange crisis and the high price of cement and petrol, among others.
“Look at the foreign exchange, has he been able to do anything? There was a time one $1 was about N1,800. He tried to bring it down and speculated N700 and N1,000 per dollar. It stopped at N1,300. It is back to N1,650 and N1,700 per dollar now. He tried to bring down the price of cement, has he been able to do anything?
“Petrol is selling mostly above N800 per litre. Some people can still get it for N650 or so but it is rare. “Let him know that it is not about him or the skills of those around him. It is about looking for the right solution to the multiplicity of Nigerian problems.
“He should seek help, even from what he might think are unusual quarters. That is where solutions lie, not around him where people are telling him he’s doing well. He is not doing well. He has to engage more with people that he probably thinks don’t want the best for him. They may not want the best for him. They only want the best for Nigeria.” This is the time for him to seek solutions. All he must do is to look at where solutions will come from. The economy is in a bad state.”
Afenifere cautioned Tinubu against relying on international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank to solve the country’s economic woes, stating that these avenues have only led to Nigeria being “put on oxygen to survive through borrowing.”
President must end hunger, hardship – Yoruba elders
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) noted that President Tinubu must focus on ending hunger and hardship which made life difficult for people in the first year of his presidency.
The council also advised him to encourage middle line manpower for the economy of Nigeria to come to life and thrive.
Secretary-General of YCE, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, who spoke with Saturday Sun, listed the priority areas that the council was expecting the current administration at the federal level to focus on.
“Obviously, our people are hungry. Nigerians are hungry. They need food. The present situation of lack of food, coupled with high cost of living must be given immediate attention and improved upon without delay. Intensive efforts in the area of agriculture should be prioritized.
“The YCE believes strongly that “project Nigeria” will be successful if the people are fed and if they are comfortable. It is only then that things will fall in place.” The Yoruba elders noted that with the first year of the current administration and its associated sufferings, the administration should developed ability to revamp the economy, and do more to secure lives and property of Nigerians.
The council noted, though, that the bold step taken by Tinubu on the removal of fuel subsidy, has taken Nigeria far into liberation by breaking the back bone of the few people, who were enjoying that largesse to the detriment of all other Nigerians
The Yoruba elders also urged Tinubu to focus more on education, pay more attention to the exploration of the country’s natural resources, and work harder to provide stable electricity for Nigerians.
Restructure Nigeria, tackle insecurity -Ohanaeze, ADF, INC
Three key Igbo groups want President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the restructuring of Nigeria and also address insecurity as his administration enters its second year.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) and Igbo National Council (INC), also asked the president to deploy political solution in granting unconditional release to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu told Saturday Sun that it was imperative that the president confronted these issues for the development of the nation.
“No doubt, he came into power when Nigeria had problems, it has been there for many years, it was clear he inherited a lot of problems, but the most important thing is that he must listen to the people, not only the politicians or his ministers, he needs to listen to the voice of traditional rulers, voice of patriotic leaders.
“For example, the problem of this country requires restructuring, if you notice, every tribe is talking of their own problems – Yoruba talking of Oduduwa, Igbo talking of Biafra, Ijaw talking of their own, the most important thing is for us to restructure this country. The country is too big to be ruled from the centre and that’s the basis of all these troubles. When this country is restructured, every state will take care of itself development at local government level.
“Every state would learn to be economically dependent. States shouldn’t be going to Abuja for the sake of sharing revenue. There’s no state that does not have resources that will make it economically independent. So, I think they should face the issue of restructuring very seriously with the National Assembly.
“Another thing is insecurity, it’s getting too bad; you wake up and hear that some people have raided a whole village, wiped away an entire village. We as a country should be able to control insecurity and people have suggested personalising security,” he said. The Igbo leader also said that restructuring will also solve the minimum wage issue as every state would be able to know what they would earn. Igbo National Council (INC) also called for restructuring stressing that constitutional amendment should take the front seat.
INC President, Chilos Godsent called on Tinubu to overhaul the security architecture of Nigeria to boost security of life, property and livelihoods of Nigerians. “The restructuring of Nigeria will help boost the economy of the different states and geopolitical regions of Nigeria at their own pace,” Godsent opined.
In its view, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) reiterated its call for regional autonomy, while urging Tinubu to immediately do away with the removal of oil subsidy. National Secretary of ADF, Chief Abia Onyike stated that no government on earth can govern successfully without subsidising things. He also said the value of the naira must be restored to its normalcy if Nigerians can be rescued from mass impoverishment. He also wants Tinubu to embark on anti-corruption crusade to recover looted funds from corrupt people. This, he stated, will help sanitize society and restore hope in the country.
What Nigeria needs urgently is restructuring – MBF, Ijaw Council, PANDEF
Also in the opinion of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the major task for President Tinubu in his second year in office would be to get the country restructured while addressing the economic and security challenges facing the nation.
The President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, in a three-point agenda he set for the president, said first, the economy must improve the exchange rate must also improve even as the cost of fuel and other commodities must be brought down.
“Secondly, whatever that is being done on resolving insecurity should be strengthened. From all indications, the president has the political will. Let him improve on it so that Nigerian roads and farms will be safe, and farmers will have peace of mind to produce more foods and the economy would benefit from that.”
He also insisted that the restructuring process, which the president has started with suggesting the idea of state police, should continue.
“Those who don’t love Nigeria may not support him on restructuring, but he would be better off if he restructures this country,” Pogu said.
President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba noted that Tinubu came into a system that was very overwhelming.
“Look at the different sectors of governance, starting from the economy, security, education and infrastructural development; he has not been able to make any tangible impact. Look at the cost of items in the market; cost of flight, exchange rate, insecurity, these are clear indicators of his performance. In every aspect of governance, there seems to be a decline.
“Maybe he has used this period to learn the ropes. We expect cabinet reshuffle, where more competent persons would be brought in. The first set of appointments was to satisfy political interests. He should bring in more competent persons in all the sectors so that we begin to see results.
“He has been listening to the cries of people in almost all areas; policies that were rolled out like the tax policies and people said no, and he responded promptly to the cries of the people. It is a good sign and we believe that he would demonstrate the same disposition towards other issues.
“The president openly said that he supported restructuring, but we expect a more drastic approach to the implantation of the elements of restructuring.”
Chairman of Pan Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF), Sen. Emmanuel Ibok Essien, said things were quite tough in Tinubu’s first year.
“If we continue like this, I don’t know how many Nigerians would remain before the end of his four-year tenure. “He should ensure that the restructuring of Nigeria is actualised because he was one of those agitating for restructuring right from the time of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and even before then. He should ensure that the restructuring of this country takes place so that every region/state grows at its own pace. The major one is the inflation. We pray that the prices of things are brought down. Where a bag of rice is about N85, 000 is not healthy for the economy of any nation; if there is no food to eat, the people will perish.”
He must improve on every dimension of governance – CISLAC
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) said the Tinubu administration must improve on virtually every dimension of the governance process. Its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy has led to rising cost of living, which has prompted increased poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of welfare of the citizens, the rising insecurity in every region in the country and the lack of accountability and transparency in the overall aspect of governance.
“The Tinubu administration should take effective measures to address the dwindling economy in the country by ensuring that our industries are working so that the growing unemployment gap is bridged, he said.
He wants the administration to tackle the corruption in the governance system, processes and procedures. He also said effective policies should be developed that will take into consideration the social and economic needs of the Nigerian citizens as opposed to policies that only provide room for greedy politicians to take advantage of ordinary citizens in order to siphon public tax payers money for personal gains.
On insecurity, he urged the administration to strengthen the capacity and welfare of the Nigerian border officials to stop terrorists from shipping in weapons used in killing innocent Nigerians.
“It is important for the Tinubu administration to make deliberate effort to address the growing gaps in food insecurity, corruption in the economy, and instability in politics leading to the growing political divide.”
“The Tinubu administration should ensure that all people found guilty of corruption are prosecuted and served punishment according to the provisions of the Nigerian constitution without any political favour. All government institutions must be allowed to exercise their independence as enshrined in our constitution. The intervention of the top government officials in issues that are supposed to be the responsibility of the agencies of government is crippling our governance system.
“The Tinubu administration should focus more on the overall overhauling of the Nigerian economy.”
“We emphasise on the need for continuous effort to tackle corruption, insecurity and poverty and hunger in the land. We also want to see more effective people oriented policies that will help ease the pains of Nigerians,” he stated.
Reduce taxes, create policies that guarantee survival of businesses – Manufacturers, others
Manufacturers, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) said the federal government must review its policies and create an enabling environment for them to thrive.
The operators noted that the first year of the present administration has been devastating, leading to the death of manufacturing firms and small businesses. In their view, policies like the fuel subsidy removal, floating of the local currency, lifting foreign exchange restrictions, new taxes in various forms, paralysed businesses, with many still struggling to survive due to increased operating costs, forex scarcity, reduced demand and disrupted supply chains, among other challenges have been killing businesses and creating unemployment across the country.
With the assurance of the president on his inaugural speech to address these critical issues that impact the manufacturers, MSMEs and the economy at large, expectations were high that things would work out better, but the past one year has been horrendous with the operators saying they are disappointed that after all the promises, the business environment got worse with more challenges that are almost crippling manufacturers and MSMEs.
Many of them are particularly miffed that the federal government has so far failed to fulfil a promise made on July 31 last year that he would provide N200 billion to strengthen the country’s manufacturing sector and the MSMEs.
The palliatives were meant to provide N75 billion to manufacturers and N125 billion to MSMEs and be executed between July 2023 and March 2024. Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, called on the government to focus on addressing the revival of closed and distressed industries, particularly in the North East where over 60 per cent of companies have closed.
He also noted that Nigeria has strong policies for industrialisation but lacked concrete action and sustainable growth, hence, to revive the manufacturing sector, the government must prioritise resource-based industrialisation and address systemic infrastructure issues.
An executive of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG) and export manager, Aarti Steel, Okhai Ehimigbai said it has been one year of bitterness, lamenting that manufacturers are not smiling at all. He said government was just heaping taxes on both manufacturers and the masses, which continues to undo the economy. He urged government to make the business environment friendly by putting up the right policies that will bring in investors, and fulfil the promise of giving palliative in form of loans and grants to manufacturers and boost local businesses.
“If you go to the industrial zones now, they are dry. Many have left while the existing ones are just trying to survive, hoping things will get better.” Vice president, South West, Segun Kuti-George, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), applauded the president for his efforts to rejig the economy by harmonizing the exchange rate, clearing the backlog of FX owed customers and working on tax reforms among others. He, however, pointed out that the harmonisation of the exchange rate has not actually achieved its goal, blaming it on corruption.
On the promised loans to SMEs and manufacturers, Kuti-George said he was not aware of any entrepreneur that benefitted from the fund promised by the president, adding that government needs to involve Business Membership Organisations (BMO) like NASSI, AMEN, ASBON, as they are close to small businesses who really need the money.
“It will make this money get to them easily. Several businesses are folding up now. Some are at the brink of closing shop. The cost of production has increased. Businesses need funds to stay afloat, make profit and remain in business.
Times are hard now. The rate of inflation is killing. Government has to think of better ways of solving the issue.
On the hike in the cost of electricity tariff, he said: “The cost of everything is going up and the government is introducing a new electricity tariff hike. This is the wrong time. The consumers are cash strapped. For his part, former chairman, MAN, Frank Onyebu, noted that the past one year has been far tougher than what most people expected or even imagined. “It’s been tough for the populace, it’s been tough for businesses. It’s been tough for me as a manufacturer,” he lamented.
He urged the government to take a holistic look at its policies and see what it can do to improve the lives of the people. Onyebu noted that the government needs to seriously consider making the business environment friendlier, noting that the emphasis should be on ensuring the survival of businesses, especially manufacturing businesses.
“These government officials need to understand that the survival and growth of the nation’s economy depends on the survival of, not just the existing businesses, but the creation and nurturing of more businesses. This can only happen when the business environment is friendly.
“Most developed economies are called developed mostly due to the advancement of their industrial sector. China developed almost overnight because it went out of its way to attract investors. It is now calling the shots because of the vision of its leaders. I therefore call on the government to throw politics aside and assemble the best economic team to try to create friendly policies that would make another China out of Nigeria.”