OLEM EDGE GLOBAL CONCEPT: Vox-Pop: My feeling for the future of Nigeria

You would recall that Nigeria has just passed – a phase in the process of democracy and is in the spotlight of the world, which are observing whether she would fail or scale through the hurdles that surround her.

We conducted a Vox-Pop on what people (around the world) feel about the future of Nigeria, and below are all that they said.

§ PACE. PACE is the key to Nigeria's future. Without PACE, no progress on social, security or economic issues will be possible. PACE is the key.

PACE: Progress on Agriculture; Corruption; and Electricity.

Progress is not perfection: it is tomorrow better than today, and the day after tomorrow better than tomorrow – that is steady, incremental, and diligent improvement.

Agriculture: Only agriculture can employ enough people, provide steady incomes and be the basis of post-commodity manufacturing (of food products, bio-fuels and textiles), which in turn will create jobs in the managerial, technical and creative fields.

Electricity enables medical care, education, industry, commerce, and communication - no society can be modern without a dependable, affordable and universally (available) electricity. Some may be provided by renewable sources, but whatever the source, Nigeria must have electricity.

Nigeria's future is PACE: Progress on Agriculture, Corruption, and Electricity.

McCann Corporate Consulting Associates,

Hamilton, Canada.

§ Evidently, electing a Muslim as president, has, in no way, appeased the Boko Haram sect.

This is proven by the death toll accumulated (from the sect’s onslaught) since election, and until Nigeria can rid itself of Boko Haram, including any of such jihadist factions: I fear for the future of the Nigerian people.

§ The future of Nigeria is very bleak as its economic strength is being threatened by terrorism.

Not only is the Boko Haram sect rendering a major blow to the economic, political, religious and social might of Nigeria as an African giant: the slow and steady rebirth of sea pirates (militants) is also adding salt to injury, as business relation with neighbouring countries is (at times) disrupted – resulting to loss of goods.

Incessant attacks had forced many of the Nigerian people into struggling to fend a living for themselves.

Brian A. Fomukong,

Nigeria is a great country but we have always had the problem of leadership, and the followers towing the footsteps of their leaders: hence, the leaders do not have ‘moral justification’ to question the followers, because they (leaders) should set the pace for others to follow.

If the people who make the laws and those who enforce the law would tow the line of integrity, Nigeria would be a better place for all. If the law enforcement agents ensure that offenders face the wrath of the law, and they (law enforcement agents) shun bribery and corruption – everyone would realise that it is no longer business as usual.

Our greatest problem in Nigeria is our law enforcement agents (who have taken corruption as a way of life). The day they decide to do their jobs diligently, with sincerity of purpose and integrity, Nigeria will be a better place for all of us. But, as long as they continue to close their eyes to illegalities in order to make money, Nigeria will never move to the next level.

There are laws (promulgated to address numerous problems in the country). However, many of these laws are not enforced due to corruption, and unless there are stiffer penalties for corrupt officials – Nigeria will not move forward.

§ To me, the future of Nigeria will be very bright, considering those that are at the mantle of leadership.

Nigeria is a country endowed with many resources, but we lack transparent and patriotic leaders. Though, the present administration, under Muhammad Buhari has come when the country is bedeviled by many problems (ranging from insecurity, corruption, to militancy, among others): the man heading the country is serious and patriotic, who, we believe, will take our country to the promised land.

Nevertheless, this will not materialise without our collective efforts.

Another problem in Nigeria is tribalism – this has really hindered the progress of our country. Look at what is happening when a corrupt official is arrested: his kinsmen or tribes would start shouting that ‘he/she is being witch hunted or that the arrest is politically motivated’.

By the way, Nigeria will be a better place to live in and all its problems will be solved by the Grace of God.

Ibrahim Musa Gwammaja,

§ Great. We need unity of purpose, discipline and sincere love for the nation.

Lecturer at University of Maiduguri,

§ I have a Nigerian friend who does not despair for the future of his country and does not think it will eventually fracture (geographically), as I had suggested it might – along religious lines.

I hope he is right and that its new president can achieve the reconciliation between the North and the South; Christians and Muslims, because this has eluded his predecessors.

Andrew Schofield,

Production Editor,

§ Still waters run deep. Nigeria's future is unpredictable – going by the fact that ethnic lines are daily reinforced by us.

The previous government deepened this crack and it is more pronounced than at any time since Independence in 1960, as there is no way a leader (probably from an opposition party) would emerge without his background being used to antagonise his policies.

For Nigeria to have a future, we may need to have a ‘quasi dictatorial policy’ that will compel us to water down ethnic laced views in the public domain (social media and other platforms inclusive).

If we can collectively concede a little of our rights to put the aforementioned in place, then, we may start to grow as a nation and we can say that there is a future for Nigeria.