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Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by Joboms(m): 9:57am On Mar 05, 2016 |
Article written by journalist and Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu. Read below... Fellow Nigerians, something melodramatic occurred some days ago in Doha, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, where President Muhammadu Buhari dropped a bombshell inadvertently. And what was the matter? The President in his usual candour and uncommon honesty announced that one of his major campaign promises was no longer feasible and practicable; the plan to pay unemployed youths a paltry sum of N5,000 monthly stipend was thus summarily jettisoned. Or so it seemed. To be accurate, what Mr President said with a wry smile was that this was a campaign promise of his Party and was one of the cardinal points of his Party’s Manifesto but he had not personally campaigned about it and it was not going to be a priority of his administration in view of other more significant and important challenges. However, all hell broke loose on social media because the President’s body language actually suggested that the pledge was dead in the water and had not just been demoted from the list of priorities. There were several reasons why social and popular media became instantly agog with activity on this issue. Nigerian youths took great risk to get Major General Buhari elected. They trusted him with their lives and expected the change mantra to become reality as soon as the People’s General regained power after being sacked as a military ruler in 1985. Truth is there are already some loud whispers in many quarters that lofty expectations are turning to a mirage and that things are already falling apart. Every explanation that it is too early to expect miracles is hardly treated with belief. Thus when the President delivered this seemingly bad news to the expectant nation, it did not go down well with many people. First the location was wrong. I agree that such monumental decisions should not have been announced while sojourning abroad. To some it would appear as if the President was taking the easy pusillanimous way out. Perhaps, the President should have addressed the nation on home soil. Maybe the President could have requested his ruling APC party to take the bullet for him by getting the Party Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, to talk to the nation about the need to revise the manifesto that was sold to the electorate with so much glee. There is nothing wrong if fresh realities have necessitated a change of plans. There is usually a world of difference between the idealism of opposition and the reality of being on the hot seat. It is one of the reasons I don’t envy the President on this present job. Mr President and his Party would have to sit down urgently to reappraise things and come out with a tidier and clearer agenda containing the realistic plan for Nigeria and Nigerians in this dispensation. Sooner rather than later, the first year of this administration will come knocking. It would be disastrous if by May 29, 2016, we still cannot have a glimpse of where the government is headed or heading. The staccato, stop-start fashion by which things are being currently handled must yield way to a smoother policy manifestation and implementation. There are many things that need to be worked on speedily. The first and most pressing is the economy. What is on ground now has been described by a famous economist as “Robinson Crusoe economics.” Like Robinson Crusoe, our economy is being handled like one man living alone on an uninhabited island but surrounded by cannibals and vermin. The economy is on a freefall, the sort we’ve not encountered before. My humble suggestion is that the President should assemble a crack economic team immediately. Those who wish to hold conferences can still do so especially as we know where similar jamboree conferences have gotten us in the past. However, it is obvious that some people have hijacked the misfortune of Nigeria and turned it into a spectacular goldmine. “Voodoo economics” is being practised by those milking the country dry and their acolytes as well as by others wishing to manipulate themselves into the position of latter day economics experts and get a slice of the national cake. There are at this moment only a few sincere economists about and we should tap into these people but not make the mistake of putting them on the same platform with the evildoers lest we become unable to separate the wheat from the chaff. A nation that fails to consult and use its best brains is doomed and may be permanently jinxed like we seem to have been forever. In any event what is necessary now is not to make the country a debating society where esoteric and grand economic principles are postulated and propounded but a society where practical visionary and meaningful economic policies are garnered and implemented. As young as I was in the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, I was aware that his best asset were the brightest brains he was able to attract and assemble. He gathered their brilliant ideas and merged them with his own. Leadership is thus an art and science of skillfully managing people and resources. It is even easier these days. In the age of advanced technology, where you can buy whatever you lack, including brains. As advanced as Britain is, the Governor of the Bank of England was recruited from Canada. No one raised eyebrows because the most important thing was getting the job done. Our parochialism will kill Nigeria ultimately if care is not taken. Many of the voodooists controlling Nigeria know nothing about modern governance or managing an economy, not to mention an ailing one. What is worse is that they know that they know not but would not agree to allow those who know something to do anything. The time has come to declare an emergency on an evil economic apparatus foisted on us by selfish people that may end up ruining our otherwise great country. I believe we should rise above partisan politics and bring our past and present geniuses together including The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, The Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, The Emir of Kano, His Highness Lamido Sanusi, Professor Charles Soludo, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, Professor Part Utomi, Mr Bismark Rewane, and some of our brilliant University dons to fashion out a way out of this scandalous debacle. The next thing is for this government to reflect true frugality and shed the toga of prodigality that is already rearing its ugly head. The President should be alerted about how those outside now believe he has already joined the psychedelic class by wasting resources on flights of fancy and excessively flamboyant and ostentatious airport ceremonies. The social media caught fire last Monday as the pictures of our Brigade of Guards in Scottish kilt fully piped up welcomed the President on his arrival from his Middle East tour went viral. Such frivolity did not reflect the mood of the nation. The President’s winning formula had always been his simplicity, humility and childlike innocence. He must resist the temptation of being corrupted by the carpetbaggers who litter our corridors of power. Running the different tiers of government has been a major drain on our economy. It is also the reason the citizens would not change their ways when government refuses to set good examples. Everything humanly possible should be done to empower and encourage Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola to give us power. There will never be any meaningful development and progress until we can generate enough electricity and be able to transmit and distribute this effectively. When people shout that we should patronize made in Nigeria products they conveniently forget that most of what we use in making the made in Nigeria products were fabricated and made abroad. At best we are only an assembly line for these products. An average company loses its profit to what should have been provided ordinarily by government. I cannot begin to overemphasise the importance of electricity. Nigerians will never forget whoever can put an end to their life in perpetual darkness. It is worth every effort and investment. It is heartening to note that there are those ready and willing to partner with Government at little or no cost to make our dire power situation a thing of the past using both conventional and sustainable energy solutions. All that seems to be required is for government to discard any policy that would be a stumbling block to the utilisation of these opportunities. Nothing must be seen as set in stone. National development requires not only flexibility but a willingness to think outside the box. It is time to seize the moment! In the name of God, we must revamp our educational institutions. It is disgraceful that we watched them collapse and we have refused to do anything tangible to bring them back to par with their counterparts elsewhere. The APC should tell and demonstrate in concrete terms what it intends to do to restore the lost glory of our schools from primary to tertiary institutions. Mercifully, the Vice President comes from a scholarly background and hopefully should be able to activate and actualize what the former President Goodluck Jonathan, himself an academic, could not achieve in the five years he spent as substantive number one citizen of Nigeria. Without quality education, most of our graduates would never be employed or even become employable. Our school curriculum must now be redesigned in such a way that it can be relevant to the needs and requirements of our tough situations. Entrepreneurship should become a compulsory subject. This is why we must commend and recommend the great initiative by Tony Elumelu’s foundation that seeks to locate and situate hidden talents and future captains of industry. Innovation and inventiveness must be encouraged. There are Nigerians undertaking breathtaking research in many fields of human endeavour within the hallowed precincts of our university communities but they do not have the financial muscle or government encouragement and backing to be able to bring their dreams into reality. Great nations are made from developing such talents. Research and development (R & D) is the way to go. Most of our manufacturing companies hardly have any such viable R & D departments. Incentives must be given to all concerned, including funding and tax initiatives, so that our nation may truly enter the industrialised comity of nations and not just pretend that we are better than mere panel beaters! Yes, it is time for APC and the Government to set their priorities again but this must be done with a sense of purpose and a desire to take the people to a higher level. May God help them 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by RZArecta(m): 10:05am On Mar 05, 2016 |
How can you rewrite what was roundly rejected and denied by the party ? The so called manifesto is non existent, you can write a new one for 2019 elections sha 1 Like |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by belente(m): 10:08am On Mar 05, 2016 |
May be they should leave it blank. Apc is a lying party and bubu is a dullcardinho 1 Like |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by KissCODE(m): 10:11am On Mar 05, 2016 |
When a people enters a contest without the mind of winning they can act or behave anyhow. When a people enters a contest with the mind to win by all means. They can do anything or say anything to win. These two scenerio is what played out when APC was campaigning in 2014/2015. They never new it would be possible forthem to win power at the centre. Because of that they promised all manner of things and played even foul games to ruin & rubish the rulling party then. Now they are in power, because the are ill prepered they dont even know what to do on how to run this nation. Again pride is killing them. How can they look outside thier click for help. That would amount to weakness. Thats their problem. Politicians can never take the place of technocrats. APC have to swallow their pride and reach out accross party lines to save Nigeria from tumbling into fire of destruction. Dele Momudu is really WAILING these days... 1 Like |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by respect80(m): 10:29am On Mar 05, 2016 |
I'm very happy with the writer of this article |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by lanwrex(m): 10:43am On Mar 05, 2016 |
Dele momodu one of the very good supporters of buhari now coming clean and stating true facts. This should tell the presidency that there is serious work needed to be done. To apc supporters-dont be a zombie forever.. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by lanwrex(m): 10:45am On Mar 05, 2016 |
KissCODE: I was wondering how he got the wailing form.. I thought i ordered for the last one |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by Boss13: 10:51am On Mar 05, 2016 |
Great article sincerity in its purpose. This government must wake up and face reality. It will be 1 year soon and there is no visible change, even the anti corruption campaign promised is yet to offer any visible success in terms of conviction. I wonder where this APC led government is taking this country to. I know Jonathan made a mess of this country, but we saw some glimpse of hope, like the Auto Industrial Policy, Revitalised Agriculture Programs complementing what Obasanjo had already put in place, some makeshift airport remodeling, SURE & YouWin programs, though both were failed projects, it showed there were intent to reduce youth unemployment. However, what is Buhari and his ministers up to? For me, I'm getting irritated with the recent junketering activities of the President, he should look hard at the problems riddling this country and make plans to solve them. His continuous attitude of addressing and speaking about Nigeria's problems outside the country is an insult to Nigerians. 1 Like |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by Monimatic(m): 10:54am On Mar 05, 2016 |
La Click La Dele Momodu |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by KissCODE(m): 10:56am On Mar 05, 2016 |
lanwrex:lolzzz... Who knows maybe a pirated copy... But WAILING WAILERS INCORPORATED has been growing faster now than ever... Dele IS highly welcome anyway 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by mjames: 10:58am On Mar 05, 2016 |
Too long abeg |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by lukecent: 11:28am On Mar 05, 2016 |
APC came to power without vision because they never knew they ll win. They were making all those promises thinking they ll loose. $1 = #1, Chibok girls - two months, #5000.00 monthly to unemployed youths, 3m jobs annually, 24hours uninterrupted power supply, #50 a litre of fuel, Repositioning of the economy etc 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by sdindan: 11:31am On Mar 05, 2016 |
Who still believe in this Useless Government .
Nonsense. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by omofunaab(m): 11:42am On Mar 05, 2016 |
KissCODE: Dele momodu was only advising buhari, this is what most of us should endeavor to do as a patriotic Nigerian and not marvelling at the joy in being a member of a negative group "wailing wailers ". If buhari fails, then the nation fails. ..if buhari fails to end the problem of power supply before 2019. Then we need to ask when Nigeria Wil get it right. We must criticize and advice the president constructively.. I don't like sycophants but I detest those that wish the president fails more than anything |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by phlemzy: 12:00pm On Mar 05, 2016 |
I still don't want to believe that this country is too big for one person to govern. This is definitely not the best we can get from the government of CHANGE. |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by Ola17: 12:08pm On Mar 05, 2016 |
oduastates: Our double mouth is quite embarrassing! Instead of accepting that we the Yorubas effed up by aligning with the North and the obvious failure called APC, you are shifting the blame to 'defective union. If you believe the union is defective, why denigrate the ibos that wants out of the Union in the first place? Why didn't you also excuse the failure of GEJ's government on 'defective Union'? Or is it because the Hausas just reminded us who they really are in Mile 12? 1 Like |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by okpurukata(f): 12:14pm On Mar 05, 2016 |
It has started. Small small. The scales are falling fast. |
Re: Time To Re-write The APC Manifesto - By Dele Momodu by calobinna(m): 12:21am On Mar 06, 2016 |
Can someone tell me Dele Momodu is two faced... he should be put in the clique of FFK and Doyin Odupe.... PMB should be prayed for... These men around him should be feared cos they could do anything to enrich themselves! |
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