It is no longer news that the 'change' agents are now in power in Nigeria; it is pretty obvious because we have witnessed so slow a start, making us realize 'fresh' people are in government.
While many Buharist, Tinubuist, El-rufaist, Amaechist et al are still gloating over their victory and telling those who care to listen of their new found relevance(they can continue for as long as they want), the truth is neither the economy nor the citizens who are hoping that their lives will be improved have the luxury of time to waste on frivolities.
While those who can afford three meals per day, data on their smart phones, flight tickets to visit their various godfathers, sleep in luxury hotels and maintain mistresses can understand body language and how it puts food on their tables; unfortunately those in states like Osun who have been reduced to beggars overnight, those who have been sacked from various jobs(even in the oil sector), their wives and children nor those who are expecting the 5000 Naira social welfare package understand the mechanism behind body language. To the later group, talking to them about body language and it's numerous accomplishments is equivalent to speaking french to a rural woman, who has spent all her life in itu mbuso.
This government has spent 'few' days in office compared to what's left, but you see why I agree they still have time to prove doubters wrong, the fact remains that we cannot lose the 'little' gains of the PDP wasted years(as they claim), while waiting for them to recover from their victory induced sleep. Suddenly the all knowing people around presidential candidate Buhari have all disappeared. Those who felt Dr Iwela is better off as a farmer than an economist have suddenly lost their magic wand. The economy of the country is steadily on a decline daily; it would have made sense if the president was being perceived to be doing anything other than denials about it,(whatever induced the sleep in aso rock should be properly investigated, people probed and the findings made public!), but you see when Nigeria's 'almighty' oil industry begins to downsize it's workforce, only someone living in self deceit willl believe the ship is sailing smoothly.
For the record, some of the ways the change agents led by President Buhari promised to change the economic fortunes of Nigeria/Nigerians include:
•Empowerment scheme to employ 740,000 graduates across the 36 states and the federal capital territory: How many months down the road, NO SHOW. We have not seen ANY sign of better days. Some will say "time still dey", but dear brother/sister, a day in the life of a financial unstable/jobless person is like a thousand years, let alone the ones who ran around in the sun and rain waving coloured brooms and chanting change, hoping that their lives will be changed too.
•Establishment of a free tuition and scholarship scheme for pupils who have shown exceptional aptitude in science subjects at O levels to study ICT related courses: Well a new academic session is about to begin in most tertiary institutions in Nigeria following the release of O level and JAMB results; the presidency seems to have lost its voice regarding this promise. If they have only forgotten - fair enough, that's easier to understand than outright denial.
•Three million jobs per year: Maybe the Buhari government is yet to realize that we are already heading towards his first year in office. We would like to see the modalities for just 100,000 jobs first, then we will believe the 3 million jobs fairy tale. So far nothing on job creation has been seen in ANY regard(job creation) - unless of course being a presidential volunteer is considered a job.
•Promise to embark on vocational training, entrepreneurial and skills acquisition scheme for graduates along with the creation of Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme to create at least 5 million jobs by 2019: This will be a life saver right now. With the various job cuts in the country, with access to these kind of funds and training, many people will be willing to venture into the world of running their own business; so far this is all just a dream - no signs yet of it becoming a reality.
•Making our economy one of the fastest-growing emerging economies in the world with a real GDP growth averaging 10% annually: With JP Morgan's threat to remove Nigeria from its key bond index, it is safe to say that the government has failed woefully in stabilising the economy, let alone growing it at any rate. Nigeria has been placed on a negative index watch; I believe it would have been a lot easier for the JP Morgan team to keep quiet while watching events unfold over the next six months of grace they have given before delisting us from its Government Bond Index, if they had noticed any sign of "understanding of the times" by the Buhari team. Having noticed the
Laissez faire attitude towards the economy, it became necessary to raise the alarm and alert Nigerians/foreigners on the nations economic state. With these revelations the aso rock and volunteers crew can deny all they want, we now know all is not well.
If the president does not want to constitute a cabinet- it is all good, he should only inform us in time via the local media not Ghanian or United States media. If he can run the country alone - no problem - all we care about is that the economy works fine; else in the fullness of time, even lying liars will also become wailing wailers.
Enenim Ubon tweets from @EnenimUbon
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