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Tag: BUHARI

  • NUT urges Buhari to establish Secondary School Commission

    NUT urges Buhari to establish Secondary School Commission

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to establish secondary school commission for efficient and effective administration of post primary school in the country.

    The Kwara state Chair of the NUT, Comrade Musa Abubakar spoke this yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at this year world teachers day.

    Comrade Abubakar also cautioned against putting primary school system under the local government authorities.

    On primary education, he said: “In as much as we support Mr. President. Change agenda for our dear nation and in his bid to reposition education, care must be taken in repositioning Primary Education system, particularly in its management and finance.

    “Any attempt to place primary school system in the hands of local government authorities shall be vehemently resisted.”

    He urged the state government to consider teachers to the appointments of permanent secretary, chairmanship of TESCOM, SUBEB and even commissioner for education to ensure that round pegs are put in the round holes.

    He also called for the increase of state government monthly subvention ?to N150m to ensure up to date payment of retired primary and secondary school teachers gratuities and pensions.

    He also called for the immediate payment of the backlogs of  gratuity of retired primary school teachers.

    The NUT chairman, further called for the release of the outstanding promotion of primary school teachers since 2013 July and  2014 including the release of TESCOM teachers promotions.

    NUT chair urged Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to live up to expectation and ensure the issuance of license to ?the registered teachers which he stressed is long overdue.

     

  • Council chief to Nigerians: be patient with Buhari

    Council chief to Nigerians: be patient with Buhari

    The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to reshape the nation.

    Jiba, who also serves as the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), congratulated Nigerians on the 55th Independence Day anniversary, saying that only unity and love have kept the country together.

    The ALGON boss further commended President Buhari for the bold steps he has taken to tackle insecurity, saying that with the prayers and support of the people, the administration will put an end to insurgency.

    Jiba said 55 years of any nation is not a joke, adding that Nigerians should have sober reflection and also pray for President Buhari.

    He also appealed to the President to consider indigenes of Abuja in his cabinet when appointing ministers, adding that indigenes of the FCT deserve better representation at the Presidency.

    “I will advise Nigerians to continue to remain united and work with the present administration in order for President Buhari to move this nation to greater height.  We are also appealing to President Buhari to consider Abuja indigenes in his ministerial appointments, so that we can contribute our quota in his government.

    “The indigenes of the FCT have been marginalised for a very long gone time and we believe that with the present administration, the marginalisation will come to an end. We are also appealing that since the independent anniversary is taking place today, Nigerians should continue to be law abiding and loyal to this administration,  so that the government will be focus and succeed in his desire to reposition the nation in all ramifications.

    “Nigerians should be patient with President Buhari as he is taking his time to reposition the country and correct everything that needs to be corrected. We should continue to pray for this administration, that God will give our President good health and the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the nation to greatness,” he said.

     

  • Indigenes urge Buhari, EFCC to probe FCDA officials

    Indigenes of Dagbalo community in Apo area of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC )  to investigate the activities of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) officials in respect of allocation of plots, especially those whose

    Certificates of Occupancy were approved in less than the stipulated one year.

    The indigenes through their leader,  Rev. Danjuma Tanks, who made this call on behalf of the community, insisted that if the investigation on what he described a the nefarious  activities of FCDA officials commences, it will aide in healing the wounds suffered by indigenes of Abuja.

    Rev. Tanko said the Indigenes who affected by the ill fated activities of the FCDA were subjected to untold hardship and all manners of inhuman treatment by the past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed.

    According to him, the FCTA through the department of Ressetlement and Compensation took a bulldozer two years ago, which was July 30, 2013 to demolish the entire Dagbalo community and destroyed their farm lands  without any ressetlement or compensation.

    “They allocated the same area to one Mr. Owuora, the owner Owuora group of companies. It took the FCDA officials, led by the director of Ressetlement and Compensation, Mr Francis Okechuckwu five days,  in company of well armed Military personnel in a pickup van to wipe off our entire community.

    “Our people who were helpless and armless,  could do nothing,  but to report the matter to the nearest Police division at Apo, where we advised to go to court  and the case has been in court for the past two years now. All efforts by our Counsel to ensure quick dispensation of justice has proved abortive. This is therefore causing untold hardship and more suffering to our people, even as we squatting with our neighbours.

    “Also,  about this time last year, the FCDA called for settlement out of  court, which we did not object to. But,  for the past five months now, they have  failed to fulfil the promises they made to us.  Instead, they tried to lobby me to sell out my community and I bluntly rejected it. So, we are back in court and since then, the FCDA has resorted to delaying the court procedures, without respect to the judicial process .

    “Counsel to the FCDA has joined in frustrating the case by failing to tender his redress for adoption, which ought to have been been done since July, 2015, before the court went on recess, but neither the director nor their defense counsel were in court to tender  their redress for adoption. Now,  the resumption the next adjournment has been shiftedOctober 17, 2015.

    “We are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari, who we see as an act of God to liberate us from our suffering,  through his anticorruption campaign to investigate the nefarious activities of the FCDA and they way they are subjecting indigenes of the FCT to immeasurable suffering by forcefully confisticating their land without due compensation and resettlement,”he said.

    Tanko further appealed to President Buhari to instruct the incoming minister of the FCT to ensure that their communities which were wrongly demolished by the FCDA and allocated to a single developer are restored to the people,  saying that as it is presently,  none of the affected indigenes have any place to call their villages or hometown.

     

  • 2016 Budget will boost economic diversification, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that the 2016 National Budget being prepared by his administration will include fresh policies and measures to encourage the rapid diversification of the Nigerian economy away from its current over-dependence on the oil and gas sector.

    He made the remark during an audience with the President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), Mr. Pierre Gattaz and a delegation of French investors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

    According to him, the policies being evolved by his administration to boost domestic manufacturing and attract greater investment to Nigeria’s agricultural and mining sectors will be given full effect under the 2016 budget.

    He urged Mr. Gattaz and the French trade mission, which includes over 50 companies with interest in manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure development and other areas, to return to Nigeria again next year in order to take full advantage of the new policies.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also assured the French investors that under his leadership, Nigeria will not fall short of international standards in the protection of foreign investments and the repatriation of returns on such investments.

    Noting that domestic security and the inflow of foreign investment were intrinsically linked, the President told the French investors, whose visit to Nigeria is a follow-up to his recent trip to Paris, that the Federal Government was taking all necessary measures to overcome Nigeria’s security challenges.

  • Buhari vows to improve teaching standard

    Buhari vows to improve teaching standard

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday ordered that only those adequately prepared and regulated should be entrusted with the teaching and learning process.

    Buhari spoke during the 2015 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja.

    He said Federal Government will not rest in its efforts aimed at improving the standard of teaching and learning by empowering teachers through its agencies.

    The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the government of the Federation, (SGF), Babachir Lawal, said the reform in the education sector cannot function without a fundamental change of the attitude, orientation and behavior of teachers.

    Buhari said: “it is commonly acknowledge that the quality of learning depends, first and foremost, on the quality of teachers. Consequently, in 1966 the international community adopted a standard to promote quality teachers and teaching. In this new world order, knowledge is power and all the strategic sectors of society are expected to be manned only by individual whose capabilities and understanding of the sectors are not in any way doubtful. Logically therefore, like other professions, only those who are adequately prepared and regulated should be entrusted with the teaching and learning process.

    “It is against this backdrop that the federal government has not relented in its efforts to improve the standard of teaching through the activities of agencies like the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, National Teacher’s Institute, National Commission for Colleges of Education, National Universities Commission, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and various faculties and departments of institutions of higher learning. These institutions are directed towards the realization of government’s goals in the improvement of quality of teacher education programs, registration and licensing processes and, the overall professionalization of teaching.

    “However, this process cannot function without a fundamental change in the attitude, orientation and behavior of teacher towards greater values, ideals and practices. A comprehensive ethical framework is, therefore, required to define what the new values, ideals and practices should be. There might also be the need for the new legal instruments and programs that are designed to enforce the provisions of the ethical framework.”

  • Alleged bribery: UK tells Buhari of Diezani’s arrest

    Alleged bribery: UK tells Buhari of Diezani’s arrest

    EFCC team likely for London

    Jonathan, ex-ministers meet in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari  has been told of former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke’s arrest in Britain, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    The Presidency also confirmed last night that the Department of State Service (DSS) was collaborating with the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Britain to get to the root of the bribery and money laundering allegations against the former Minister and four others, who are yet to be named.

    The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in an exclusive chat with our correspondent last night, said:  “Nigeria is aware of the arrest of the ex- Minister; the government has been informed.

    “The arms of government  dealing with investigation, particularly the Department of State Service (DSS), are actively collaborating with the relevant agencies in the UK.”

    Asked to expatiate on the matter, Shehu said: “Nobody wants to say anything as a Mark of respect for the agencies carrying out the investigation. We also want to show that we are serious about this anti-corruption war.”

    When pressed to explain if Nigeria will ask for the ex-minister’s extradition, Shehu said: “I won’t give details other than telling you that the DSS is collaborating with the relevant agencies on this case.

    “We want to do things differently from the past.”

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) plans to send a team to London to be part of the former minister’s trial.

    Mrs Alison-Madueke, who is on bail, is expected to be charged to court in London for alleged money laundering and other related offences by  the NCA.

    Most cabinet colleagues of the ex-minister have been indifferent to her travails because they “saw it coming”.

    Although some of the former ministers met with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja at the weekend to review the situation, they had “little concern” for her.

    Jonathan was said to be trying to get in touch with the ex-minister  to “get first hand information” on her arrest.

    The International Corruption Unit (ICU) of NCA on Friday arrested Alison-Madueke and four others.

    The EFCC collaborated with the NCA in investigating Mrs Alison-Madueke in the last two years.

    It was gathered that the EFCC made vital documents, including details of bank transactions of some of her business associates, available to the NCA.

    The search on her residence on Friday was said to be the part of the concluding  stage of the initial investigation.

    A top source in EFCC said: “The arrest and the impending arraignment of Mrs Alison-Madueke have been a joint collaboration between the EFCC and the NCA.

    “There is no way we will not be part of the trial. Definitely, we are sending a team to the UK but I cannot give you the details.

    “If you recall, some of our investigators were in the UK during the trial of ex-Governor James Ibori. This practice will not be an exception in the trial of the ex-minister.

    “We have documents to give to NCA; we have a lot to clarify in confidence. We are also ready to testify.”

    Overwhelmed by the arrest of the former oil minister, some former ministers visited President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday and Saturday for a “review of the situation and other allegations against the immediate past administration.”

    But the details of what transpired were unknown as at press time.

    Two former  ministers however said they were indifferent to Alison-Madueke’s plight.

    One of them said: “I think many of us won’t be surprised because even at FEC we saw it coming.

    “Some of our colleagues, virtually hero-worshipped her even though we were supposed to be equal in the cabinet.”

    As at last night, the NCA was not forthcoming on its website whether Alison-Madueke and four others will be arraigned in court today.

    The agency only said the suspects were released on bail “pending further investigation”.

    It said: “On Friday 2nd October, the National Crime Agency’s recently formed International Corruption Unit arrested five people across London as part of an investigation into suspected bribery and money laundering offences.

    “All five people arrested were released on conditional police bail later that evening, pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas.”

    The investigation began in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year.”

    The ICU was established to “ trace and recover the proceeds of international corruption”.

    NCA said: “The International Corruption Unit (ICU) investigates: Bribery of foreign public officials by individuals or companies from the UK; and Money laundering by corrupt foreign officials and their associates.

    “The ICU will also:

    • Trace and recover the proceeds of international corruption;
    • Support foreign law enforcement agencies with international anti-corruption investigations;
    • Engage with government and business to reduce the UK’s exposure to the proceeds of corruption; and
    • Work with business to support increased compliance with the Bribery Act 2010
    • The ICU draws on the specialist support available to it within the NCA, and works closely with other UK law enforcement agencies and overseas partners.

  • Investigate customs officers in the Southeast, group urges Buhari

    The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, to investigate the alleged corrupt activities of his officers in the Southeast.

    The group urged Buhari to overhaul the leadership of the NCS for alleged impunity and abuse of office.

    A statement by its Chairman Dede Uzor. A. Uzor, said the current crop of officers have dented the image of the NCS, adding that urgent intervention by the Presidency was imperative to save the traders from further harassments and extortion.

    The organisation alleged that the activities of these officers was responsible for the continued rise in the prices of essential commodities as traders are compelled to inflate prices because of the bribe given to the officers at the road blocks.

    The statement reads: The traders have lost over two billion naira in the last four months to extortion and indiscriminate seizure by the officers who waylay them at every entry point.

    “The activities of these men have become worrisome to the CD, given its grave consequences. At every checkpoint, which is scattered all over the place, each lorry pays between N20,000 to N50,000, depending on the goods it was conveying, though they have all the requisite papers.

    “Most disturbing is the fact that the impounded goods still find their ways to the market because the wives and relatives of these officers own some of the biggest shops in the markets, which they stock with the seized products.

    “This is not a mere allegation, but a serious issue that should be investigated, and those indicted be punished accordingly. We are urging the President to extend his war against corruption to the customs officers serving in the Southeast. He should as matter urgency, set up a taskforce to monitor their activities.

    “The impunity of these officers cannot be compared to what is obtained in other zones and this explains the high rate of seizure of goods.”

    When contacted on the allegations, Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, David Dimka, responded thus: “since you are in Owerri, you can do your investigations and find out the truth”.

  • Buhari administration and kerosene

    SIR: Kerosene is one of the most essential commodities in the lives of most Nigerians, especially those living in semi urban and rural areas.  Among the most crucial factors that affect Nigerians’ usage of kerosene is not only its availability but also its efficient distribution at the appropriate price.

    It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari attaches great importance and gives priority to effective and inclusive nationwide distribution of petroleum products, especially kerosene, to Nigerians nationwide and at government approved prices. Thus, during his speech on the 55th year Independence anniversary, he categorically mentioned the success recorded by his government in the improvement of distribution of kerosene. The President said: “…by the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country”.

    If the current modest improvement in the supply and distribution of kerosene is sustained, it will produce some fruitful end results- increased public confidence on government programmes and policies and encouraging the managers of the nation’s refineries and NNPC depots to sustain the gains.

    Some opposition to Buhari government may question what the relationship between governance and the improvement in the distribution of kerosene is? The answer to this is simple. Buhari has so far exhibited qualities and appeals which inspire enthusiasm in Nigerians with just a wink of an eye. Buhari is an individual with vision for the future, a man who can go the extra mile to get things done, Buhari is one man that can differentiate between reality and smokescreen and also remain positive in the public eye, no matter what the situation may be.

    Buhari’s actions and quality leadership have made NNPC personnel and marketers, especially major marketers to enthusiastically key-in to government’s resolve to improve the distribution of kerosene throughout the country. One of the heart-warming examples is the new innovation in the distribution of kerosene introduced by NNPC Kaduna depot management and one of the major oil marketers- they designed a well mapped strategy that ease the distribution of kerosene to both urban and rural areas at government approved price. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and other stakeholders are also playing a very vital role in improving that strategy.

    President Buhari is indeed making Nigerians happy with the modest improvement in the distribution of kerosene nationwide. Most Nigerians believe he will revive the nation’s four refineries and the 21 NNPC depots in order to sustain this improvement.

    • Zayyad I. Muhammad,Jimeta, Adamawa State.
  • Buhari’s rock star international image

    Buhari’s rock star international image

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu relives the warm reception President Muhammadu Buhari got at the recent United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, United States

    President Muhammadu Buhari, seems to be the embodiment of everybody’s idea of a reformist capable of restoring the lost glory of the World’s biggest black nation.

    For the reason that he has the trust of Nigerians, he has rekindled their hope of their country achieving the greatness destined for it.  Even when he protests against larger than life images of himself, he has been wildly popular at home in Nigeria.

    His recent engagements in and around the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), put a stamp on his rock star international image.

    While still in Nigeria, tens of adoring foreign leaders had written to the NigerianMission at the UN and directly through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting for bilateral meetings in New York with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    With a population of 170 million and endowments in natural resources, there are many countries that are eager to expand into Nigeria but the one key that seems to be unlocking all the doors and lifting Nigeria’s image abroad is President Buhari’s personal characteristics.

    He is seen as a leader with personal integrity, honesty and truthfulness.

    He is perceived as a promising reformer, a crusader against corruption and a unifier of a people who are yearning for a change.

    Since he assumed office, he has traveled to the neighbouring countries and the major capitals of the world seeking a unified approach to the war on terror in the North-East, and the piracy, oil pipeline sabotage and crude oil theft in Southern Nigeria.

    In addition to solicitations for investment so as to create jobs for the teemingunemployed, the President has been making attempts to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the international community as a big player.

    For the first time in any public speech he has made, President Buhari in a New York newspaper interview spoke about his country’s aspiration and qualification for the membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.

    The euphoric cheers he got while addressing the UN are a part of this unfolding story, not the whole story by itself.  The real story is in the line-up of leaders of nations, big and small, serving, and out-of-office with requests for one-on-one or bilateral meetings with President Buhari.  Since it was humanly impossible to cope with the deluge of demands, a sifting and balancing acts had to be used.

    In the course of the visit, the President accepted or took part in the following side events:-

    • United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO) meeting on the “Operationalisation of the post- 2015 Development Agenda for African Industrialisation;”
    • High-Level Roundtable on South-South cooperation, organised by China
    • Heads of State and Governments’ meeting of African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC), at the Permanent Observer Mission of Africa Union to the United Nations;
    • Global Leaders Summit on countering ISIL and Violent Extremism convened by the U.S. President Obama;
    • Summit Meeting on Climate Change, called by French President Hollande and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon;
    • Reception by the President of the United States of America and Mrs. Obama;
    • Side event organized by Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS(NACA)

    * Meeting of the UN Fund for Population Activities:” Building Stability and Resilience in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Countries” convened by Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.

    Other world Leaders met include:-

    • His Majesty, Don Felipe VI, King of Spain
    • H.E. Mr. XI Jinping, the President of the Peoples Republic of China;
    • H.E. Rt Hon. David Cameron, Prime Minister of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island;
    • H.E. Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea;
    • His Majesty, King Abduallah II Bin Husseini, King of the HasheniteKingdom of Jordan
    • H.E. the Prime Minister of Guyana H.E. Moses Nagamootoo;
    • H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the UN;
    • Mr. Bill Gates, the Chief Executive Officer of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation;
    • H.E. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
    • Former President Bill Clinton of the U.S.A.
    • H.E. the Prime Minister of Malta H.E. Joseph Muscat
    • Mr. Gordon Brown former British Prime Minister and President OlusegunObasanjo of Nigeria;
    • Mr. Christopher Stone, President of Open Society Foundations and
    • Mrs. Julia Stasch, President of McArthur Foundation

    Most of these meetings were dominated by issues of defence cooperation and economic ties.

    Matters explored included economic development, jobs, investment in the economy, foreign policy, global security landscape and the President’s important effort to secure the country and manage it efficiently.

    President Buhari also showed a determination to use the international system in stemming corruption and helping not only Nigeria but the other growing nations in the recovery of their stolen assets.

    Groups such as McArthur and Bill Gates Foundations and Gordon Brown’s UN-Backed “Safe Schools Initiative” are expected to aid the recovery and rehabilitation of Schools and other infrastructure in the North-East.

    At all of these meetings, President Buhari asked the international community to be united in combating the challenges posed by terrorism across the World.  In his words, “no nation is immune to this threat.  We must therefore stand united against terror.”

    One of these meetings that stood out from the rest is the one President Buhari had with the King of Jordan.

    Beyond making acquaintance and congratulating the Nigeria leader on his election victory, King Abdullah promised to offer assistance in any way possible to help Nigeria fight terror.  He promised to bring the experience of his country, itself surrounded by terrorist activities manifested by ISIL, Al-Shabab, Houthi rebellion and others to help Nigeria out as it confronts Boko Haram.

    President Buhari returned to the country convinced that his government is doing all the rights in our international relations that would catalyze Nigeria’s revival as a key player on the global  stage and a favourable destination for foreign investment.

    This is a departure for a nation that suffered for years under a government that  immersed in self-serving engagements and unfriendly attitude towards neighbours.

    With all of these going on on the part of Nigeria, President Buhari will continue to be seen all over the world as a potential game-changer who will realize the dream of a rich, powerful and stable Nigeria.

  • Buhari: Re-inventing Roosevelt example

    Buhari: Re-inventing Roosevelt example

    In this piece, a political scientist, Dr. Kayode Akin-Fasae, attributes the slow pace of development in Nigeria to bad leadership and contends that President Muhammadu Buhari can make a difference, if he learns from the mistakes of past leaders and runs a  dynamic, consistent, focused and  people-oriented administration.

    Over many years, I have engaged in deep thought to know why Nigeria cannot rise up and maximize her potential and assume its deserved place as a leader in the world. I keep asking myself why should a country very capable of attaining lofty heights choose to continue to wallow in absolute muck. Every place I turned for answer, all that keep coming up is LEADERSHIP. Tribalism, bad as it may be in this country, is very inconsequential in my equation. Everything rises and falls on leadership. Few things are more important to human activity than leadership.

    Effective leadership helps nations through times of peril. It makes a business organization successful. It enables a not-for-profit organization to fulfill its mission. It is the effective leadership of parents that enables children to grow strong and healthy and become productive adults. On the other hand, the absence of leadership is equally dramatic in its effects. Without leadership, organizations move too slowly, regress or stagnate. If leadership is not important, there will be no need for any elections at all. It’s also true that when we put wrong person in position of power, leadership could be perverted to pursue bad ends. Nigerians have seen and endured enough disappointments from the so-called leaders to teach us an important lesson. That we need to closely check anyone asking for votes during elections. The events of the past six years ought to have taught the electorates that they should “google” all aspiring politicians thoroughly and equipped themselves with all information about the candidates before filling ballot papers. It’s such an important civic duty that should not be taken lightly. It’s a decision that could be irreversible until another four years.

    The ethics of our leaders must be scrutinized. The danger that leadership could be perverted is why ethics are so important to good leadership. Ethics are the inner compass that directs a person toward what is right and fair. Therefore, going forward, all of us must realize the importance of leadership when we vote for our political leaders. Ultimately, we are responsible for those we elected. Leaders set direction for the rest of us; they help us see what lies ahead; they help us visualize what we might achieve; they encourage us and inspire us. Leadership helps to point us in the same direction and harness our efforts jointly. The former U.S President Herbert Hoover was a good gentleman by all accounts. He had served creditably as a cabinet secretary under two previous Presidents, Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge. However, he was not a leader in his own right. When Hoover became the 31st President of the United State in 1929 and the great economic depression set in, Hoover was as clueless as Mr. Jonathan for four years. He started looking for someone to blame for his inadequacy. The American people wasted no time in getting rid of him.

    On the other hand, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt came in 1933 to restore hope of Americans, he did not bring any magic. He simply stepped in with self-assured leadership. To begin with, his voice came through with strength and sincerity. He started by telling the American people that there was absolutely nothing to fear even in the midst of disaster. He was elected to tackle the greatest economic depression the modern world had ever known and nothing was going to deter him. The confidence he brought was enough to make Americans believe in themselves again. When people identify a credible leader, they will follow and obey. He started from day one by rolling out pieces of legislations to stimulate the economy. That was the beginning of American domination of the world economy. In the same fashion, when the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor unprovoked on December 7, 1941, Mr. Roosevelt went to the congress the second day to deliver a six minutes and thirty seconds speech. That was all the time he needed to let the Japanese know who was in charge.  So far,  Buhari reminds me of Mr. Roosevelt, who was elected to clear a mess of Olympic proportion. Both started on day one proffering answers to difficult questions. So far, the steps taken by  Buhari since assumption of office to bring sanity to the country are commendable. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment. The price of crude oil continues to take a free fall. It’s pertinent to remember that not all the solutions Roosevelt proffered were right at first instance. His method was to try one policy and if it was not effective, he was not afraid to try another until he got the one that achieves the greatest good for the greatest number of people. In the same fashion, perhaps not all of Mr. Buhari’s answers would be right at first test, but he must keep trying. Tough time calls for tougher solution. We should also remember that tough time don’t last, tough people do. What we had before was a lame duck President.

    Let’s be blunt, Goodluck was actually a bad luck for Nigeria. I have seen more spine and leadership in a bunch of jelly fish than in his administration. Out of all the actions Gen. Buhari has taken so far, none is as exhilarating to me as his monetary policy involving the foreign exchange transaction. If I read it correctly, the thrust of the policy is to checkmate cheaters and deprive them the benefits of their ill-gotten wealth abroad while depleting our meagre foreign reserve. These heartless Nigerians, operating without any moral constraints, are now in a dilemma. What are they going to do with their excess inventory of both local and foreign currencies? I think such questionable bank deposits should be taxed heavily. The cancellation of the parallel foreign exchange market is particularly courageous on the part of Mr. President. Our greatest primary task is to put people to work.

    This is no unsolvable problem, if we face it wisely and courageously. A leader is called upon to do the right thing, not necessarily the popular thing. Leadership is not meant for the faint-hearted and that is why not anyone should aspire to leadership position. Unfortunately in our country, many people with zero attribute for leadership had pretended to lead us. The former President Obasanjo rightly pointed out in his book “Not my will”, that good leadership is the only solution to our problem. Said he “If the financial problem is solved today with a stroke of the pen by forgiving all our debt, the management and development problem will not be solved with the same or another stroke of the pen. Management is our main problem”. That is an excellence analysis of our situation.

    Management rests on leadership. Chief Obasanjo wrote his opinion in 1990. However, it’s ironic that when Obasanjo came back to lead Nigeria again in 1999, he got debt-relief as he rightly mentioned in his book, but instead of laying an irreversible solid foundation of good leadership,  Obasanjo was high in politics and low in policy. Did he read his book or maybe he has forgotten he wrote those words. As we have seen in the past three months of the leadership change in our country, it is not difficult to conclude that, for our condition to change, we need a leader who is willing to downplay the trappings of the office, roll up his sleeves, jump into the ring and fight for the common people with his blood, sweat, and fits. What we had in the immediate past was a ring-side spectator masquerading as a fighter and allows others to steal the show while he looks the other way helplessly. If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, never again must we allow a simpleton to lead this wonderful country of ours, which is blessed with highly intelligent, smart and hard-working people.

    • Akin Fasae, a development expert, writes from Atlanta, Georgia, USA.