THE LAST CHANCE SALON

First and foremost, I wish each and every one a much happier, healthier and more prosperous 2017.

I’d just like to use this opportunity to share my opinion on the state of play, as far as our collective destiny is concerned. This will most certainly not be a lengthy piece, but will just touch on the three most important aspects of our personal and national lives as we enter into yet another uncertain year. However, amidst the uncertainties, a certain pattern is emerging which should be of serious concern to all well-meaning Nigerians. The three areas I alluded to earlier are: the economy, unemployment and the much-vaunted war on corruption. I deliberately put them in that order, as I believe that the focus of this government's actions need to reflect their relative importance in that exact order.

The phrase "it’s the economy, stupid", attributed to the quondam President of the United States, Bill Clinton, has been oft-quoted. Considering the economy as the backdrop to any meaningful development and progress is kindergarten stuff. We all know it. The longanimity of Nigerians has been taken for granted, and ignored, for far too long by those invested with the authority to bring about a positive change in their fortunes. It was our largely collective belief that Buhari represented a welcome departure from the abnormal norm that we put our hope in him to herald in a new era of accountability and performance. The question most Nigerians now ask is ‘was that hope chimerical?’ The answer to that question depends on who you ask, but the consensus is, even among the staunchest of Buhari supporters (of which I was one, no shame in that), Buhari has so far miserably failed to deliver on the economy. Without a positive turnaround in the economy, other aspects of national life suffer. The tohubohu within the economic team has wreaked havoc on the already-suffering populace and there appears to be no respite in sight. 2016 was a complete miss; let’s hope 2017 fares better.

The big problem of unemployment is no nearer resolving than that of the economy. How could it be in any case? A sick economy bears no good fruit, and high unemployment is a direct result of a good-for-nothing economy. With all the promises and various initiatives aimed at the tens of millions of unemployed people, albeit with admirable intentions, the problem of unemployment has got rather worse, not better. This is not heaping the blame on the current administration, as the problem is long-standing and rather complex, but workable solutions are not impossible to device and implement. Of course it will take time for any solution to even begin to scratch the surface of the problem, but the slowness of the already-announced initiatives compound the problem rather than solve it. Unemployment isn’t a problem to be politicized, as lives depend on its resolution. Headline grabbers don’t help anyone, least of all those whose lives and livelihoods are seriously impacted by it. The government’s scorecard on this problem makes for a grim reading.

As far as the war on corruption is concerned, it’s fair to say Buhari is fast losing credibility, if he hasn’t already lost all. This so-called war on corruption is now so farcical it’s beyond belief. If anything, Buhari was voted in on the promise of cleaning up the system and ridding the administration of government affairs of unchecked graft. One can only imagine how many cases are ongoing that are not mired in one judicial logjam or the other. In all honesty, the war on corruption could now better be described as a romcom! Serious probeable allegations inside the Presidency itself have gone unprobed. Credible allegations against government cabinet ministers have been swept under the carpet. You see, inconvenient truths have to be said if one was to be an objective participant in this democracy of ours. The EFCC Chairman is even under fire and no one knows whether he’ll be in the post for much longer! For the life of me, I don’t know where all this would lead. He who wants to lead such an important war, as that on corruption, must demonstrate his intolerance of it regardless of who is involved. Buhari has demonstrably failed in this singular regard, and in the process, has lent credence to the claims of many that this is a phoney war, waged for political reasons. This is a sad indictment on Buhari’s sincerity of purpose, and Nigerians are perplexed, and vexed, by it.

The above are views held by many as of December 2016, but what turnaround there might be in 2017 depends on the Buhari’s government's willingness and readiness to make corrections and the necessary modifications relating to the issues that directly impact people’s lives. 2017 is Buhari’s last chance salon, because 2018 will most certainly be dominated by political jostling for 2019. So, to redeem himself and his reputation, Buhari has to make seriously great inroads in 2017. History, and posterity, would judge him by 2017. He should not betray the trust and goodwill of Nigerians.

Once again, Happy New Year to all, and God bless the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.