BY DALIMORE ALUKO
The last seven months that President Bola Tinubu assumed office had been very challenging for Nigerians. The spiral economic challenges are not unconnected with his government’s sudden removal of subsidy on the price of petrol, thereby sparking off astronomic increase in the pump price of petrol. This action has also sparked general inflation in the prices of food, and other commodities, as well as goods and services.
However, a vivid dissection of the global economic trends would convince anyone that the current economic challenges have a global scope. In countries like the United Kingdom, United States of America, France and other advanced nations. In these countries, their citizens are also groaning under the troll of hyper-inflation. However, there is a difference, and that only difference, which is profound, is that those nations have robust and strong economic strategies to respond more swiftly. Their response promptly cushion the effect on the citizen more than we are experiencing in Nigeria
Upon assumption of office, President Tinubu unveiled what many saw as his well espoused and robustly articulated Renewed Hope Agenda. Tinubu, being a fearless, experienced and urban leader, who had at a time studied in the USA, understood that having a more cemented diplomatic relations would enhance and lubricate all frictions that could hinder the realization of the focal points of his Agenda.
Under the current 21st century economy, the nations of the world are at a sore point. So every country must extend their tentacles and widen the scope of their economic policies through bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations to fortify their economy to usher in prosperity that can shore up the dividends of democracy and citizens’ standard of living.
The pillars of the Tinubu published agenda encompassed thematic and critical areas like: food security, ending poverty, economic growth, access to capital; inclusivity, security, fairness and anti-corruption effort.
To fast-track the execution agenda, the president acted as a true team player and organized a retreat for his ministers, special advisers and related government officials so that they can have a full grasp of the essence and focus of his administration.
Further to this, there was the establishment of various performance evaluation units in the presidency. The unit is headed by a no-nonsense expert and human right activist, Hadiza Bala Usman. This unit is poised to carry out an assessment of how the various ministries are faring in the execution of the agenda of the government.
President Bola Tinubu was brutally frank and sounded harsh in his presentation at the programme. He was unequivocal in stating that he would not tolerate laxity and ineptitude among the members of the federal executive council. This warning and a veritable spur attested to his avowed stand to sack deficient ministers in the overall interest of the nation.
“He has created a credible impression that Nigeria is a nation replete with millions of raw talents but also with glowing and beneficial opportunities”
Perhaps the most exhilarating aspect of his moves to break all barriers that could constitute a clog to his success was the way he has been opening a new vista of diplomatic opportunities for Nigeria to triumph economically. The president’s economic relations with members of the Economic Community of West African States community had attracted wide applause. Within the last 120 days or so, President Tinubu has strengthened Nigeria’s trade and economic relations with many nations. Indeed, nations like the United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, the United States of America, Saudi Arabia have all been brought into the role.
In actual fact, President Tinubu’s visits to those nations and his decision to personally act as the Chief Marketing Officer of the nation are, by many considerations, commendable. This is not just direct marketing; it is a result-oriented way of moving the programmes of your government off the ground.
We hope that these moves ease the economic tension and have a positive impact on the Nigerian citizenry. With these ordinarily expected shrewd diplomatic and political efforts, he had succeeded largely in changing the warped and trusted global impression that nothing good abounds in Nigeria.
He has created a credible impression that Nigeria is a nation replete with millions of raw talents but also with glowing and beneficial opportunities.
Another area of gains is the removal of blockades by some countries in their immigration policies against Nigerians.
The United Arab Emirates was the first to remove this hurdle and it is expected that this would be perfected sooner than later. Recently, Nigerians had been having a herculean task in securing visas and related documents to the UAE. Now, such harrowing experience would be removed when all is settled between the two countries. Other nations of the world hold promises and are expected to toe the same path with Nigeria.
Expectedly, in the nearest future and days to come, Nigeria will have tremendous economic dividends to savour in the areas of agriculture, electricity generation, mines and steel development and education, with Germany, UAE, Saudi Arabia and France’s intentions and willingness to invest several billions of dollars in these critical areas to fortify the economy across various values chains.
This is an indication that President Tinubu realized that he needs to find ways to create synergy with other nations to build a nation we can all be proud of and that is how to operate a modern economy.
Most importantly the belief is that President Tinubu has been globetrotting to import economic benefits to Nigeria and put the nation on a fast lane of economic and diplomatic development.
•Aluko, a retired Deputy Principal, sent this through 08032712451 from Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
