Monday 24 December 2012

The optimism of 2013 and the realities for Nigerians



Telling how far a nation goes is largely scripted in her national plan and agendas. The 2013 budget is one piece of such plans that clearly highlights the direction we intend taking as a nation. With a budget of 4.9trillion naira, it is indeed the largest in our nation’s history but how will this reflect on the lives of ordinary Nigerians in 2013 is a different ball game entirely.
The 2012 budget was 4.6trillion naira, therefore the begging question ought to be; how has its performance been thus far? Of cause government will tell us all kinds of tales but Nigerians are the once who have felt the harsh reality of it all.
As 2012 comes to its end, Nigerians most certainly will throng their various places of worship to thank God for seeing them through the rough road of the year and ask for Gods’ divine direction for their life in 2013. In fact many will brace up for a positive New Year as usual and make all kinds of New Year resolutions.  Whilst been optimistic about the future is a wonderful thing and should be encouraged, the reality for Nigerians in the coming year is one that we all must critically reflect on.
In the year 2013 Nigerians will still worry over the poor state of electricity, they will complain over the raising prices of basic food items; even another increment in fuel price is not in doubt given the antics of our political leaders especially with the antecedent of  2012 still fresh in our mind.  High cost of transportation is not in doubt still and the bad shape of our roads will probably remain the same no matter how much allocation earmark for them, at least the Lagos-Benin ore road proof to be a pointer to that fact. Affordable housing for Nigerians in 2013 will be another issue we all must prepare to debate about, just as the falling standards of education will take centre stage giving opportunities for politicians and pastors to build expensive citadels of learning that even their members cannot afford to send their wards. Kidnapping in 2013 will take a much more sophisticated approach just as Boko Haram will continue to make itself more relevant in our national life by proofing to all that it is indeed the angel of death. This to a great deal is the reality for most Nigerians.
On the other hand, 2013 for some Nigerians will be blissful. It will be a time where more state governors and pastors will acquire private jets to improve their already glamorous life style even as Nigeria is already rated as the country with the most private jet still we don’t manufacture any of it. I won’t be surprise if local government chairmen join the list of private jet owners in the coming year. 2013 will be a year of smart corruption and money laundering creating more space for EFCC and transparency international to make their usual noise and in the end nothing comes out of it or better still it will be resolve as family affair ways. The coming year will be a period where the Nigerian army will continue to proof its mettle on the continent of Africa while at home its unable to quell domestic and sectarian violence that threatens our collective existence as a country.
2013 will again be another year where president Jonathan makes his way to the redemption camp to re-echo his state of the nation speech  like he did in 2012 and the entire congregation will sing his praise before he kneels down before ‘baba’ for prayers, after all the almighty God is a loving and forgiving father no matter your sins.
4.9 trillion naira is enough to share and go round and whatever is left of it, definitely ordinary Nigerians will manage it and pray for a better budget in 2014. Who knows it could be 10trillion then so long as our oil is the world’s favourite.
Upon reflecting on the complex process of nation building such as ours, i came to this resolution that until our leaders see political power as that sacred trust vested upon them to carry out the legitimate aspirations of the people, then we are still in the same old vicious circle.......................................................................compliments of the season’s people

YEKEME
An observer
Yekeme4u@gmail.com
Twitter: @yekeme