Today marks the beginning of another phase of our history as a nation. We have been in this race for over six decades since independence and our polity has experienced several upturns in favor and some in disfavor of the populace. Every nation will undoubtedly say the same.
After a keenly contested election, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared winner, and today, he was sworn in as the president of the federal republic in a colorful ceremony at the Eagle squaSquareja, Nigeria.
There was a gathering of diplomatic corps from across the globe and presidents of countries ably represented. The Nigerian military, made up of the Nigerian Army, navy, airforce, and police presented a parade to usher in the ceremony and decoration of the president.
The nation stood still as they watched the swearing-in ceremony, with hopes high on the delivery of the newly elected president. One such hope is that Tinubu is known to have a magic wand which Thad deployed in the urbanization of LagiLagosstate he governed for eight years.
It is worthy of note that the immediate past president is not popular among the people because he could not make positive economic policies. It is on record that the people faced one of the toughest times in the history of our nation. Our sovereignty as a nation is not one hundred percent guaranteed because of our debt profile. Nigeria is currently owing a debt of over sixty - four billion Dollars which amounts to over seventy-seven trillion Naira in our local currency.
A retrospect into the right tear run of former president Buhari, our nation became more divided because the constitutional federal character which ought to dictate the equitable distribution of employment was not obeyed. This accounted for the massive employment of northerners in the executive arm of government. The nation was polarized and some people, especially the eastern, felt marginalized.
Though, one can see some skeletal infrastructural development here and there, the completion of the second Niger Bridge and a host of others are some of the landmarks of the former president. A common man would ask what all the borrowed funds were used for?
Now, we have a new government. Is it time to say it is just a new wine in an old bottle or an old wine in a new bottle? What we know is that there are few questions bothering on corruption that are bedding for answers that the newly sworn-in president have not responded to.
It is time we look forward to the Renewed Hope. This was the campaign slogan of the president. There are a lot of things we are hopeful about. And with the wild claim that the new president built modern Lagos, I would love to see him reciprocate the gesture here at the national level. I sincerely look forward to that.
I look forward to twenty-four hours of uninterrupted power supply for at least a month. This is one thing I have wished for since I was born. I have heard about nations around the world with such experiences as having power supply throughout a year, without it blinking for a second.
My hope for the value of our local currency is so high right now. I would like to see the naira drop to at least a hundred of it in exchange for one Dollar.
Possibly, the inflation rate that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our national life will be demolished too.
I have also considered that the sixty percent unemployment rate will reduce as the president will be opening up job opportunities for young people who are ready and capable to work.
The #Japa syndrome, which was high before today, should be a thing of the past. This syndrome is simply known as brain-drain. Many professionals, especially in the medical field have left the shores of the most populous black nation of the world because of poor welfare packages and the inability of the government to listen or meet up with an agreement made on a round table.
Today, I see an astute politician taking over the mantle of leadership. And the onus is now of our fellow countrymen and women to support this government in the best way possible to succeed.
Some persons in some clime have posited that the government is not popular because it does not have the mandate of the people owing to the irregularities that was witnessed at the polls. As we speak, the election tribunal is still sitting and scrutinizing evidence against the newly installed government.
In the coming months, the tribunal will be hearing the pleas of the concerned political parties and a conclusion will be arrived at concerning the declaration of his excellency as the president of the federal republic.
Adedire Abiodun
The above image is of the immediate past Vice President, Professor Osibajo. He is a Professor at law and a nobleman. His reign in the executive during the past eight years was one of stewardship to the nation and his immediate boss. As he bows out today, it has become imperative for men an brethren to know that leadership is a continuum.
The former president had declared that he will be going back to livestock farming as he returns home to retirement life.