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
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