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When the Bell Tolls on Nigerian Economy
By Mahmud Mustapha
In the past few weeks, alarm bells have been ringing about the danger facing the Nigerian economy. These alarm bells cannot be said to be frivolous or borne out of partisan inclinations because they are coming from tested economists and those who know about how well-run economies look like.
The most recent is by the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi Lamido, a renowned banker who rose to become Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Speaking at a Workshop on National Treasury in Abuja, the traditional ruler and economist unequivocally said that the country was heading towards bankruptcy if the Buhari administration failed to stop fuel and electricity subsidy.In the same vein, the respected Invest Africa magazine has also drawn attention to Sanusi’s warning about Nigeria’s imminent bankruptcy, even when some people said he had denied the statement. Sanusi is not the type of man who denies statements credited to him. Even if he denied it, it should be noted that these concerns are no fluke as the high level of borrowing and debt servicing embarked upon by the Buhari administration should be a source of great worry about the future and health of the nations’ economy in any place where a genuine democracy is in place. The fact that Buhari’s pseudo-democratic government has conquered other organs of government which should normally be independent as provided by the constitution, gives cause for deep concern.
The way things stand now in Nigeria, a silent fear has gripped majority of Nigerian intellectuals, technocrats and political leaders that they might come under the hidden monitoring camera of the regime if they dare say the truth about the Nigerian condition.
The economic condition of the majority of Nigerians is currently very bad. Statistics from reputable foreign economic monitoring bodies like the Austria-based World Poverty Clock has it that a whopping 93.8 million Nigerians, as at June 2019, suffer from extreme poverty and that about six Nigerians fall into damning poverty every six minutes. On its own part, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) puts the country’s unemployment rate at 23.1 per cent, under employment at 20.21 per cent and youth unemployment at 55.4 per cent.
The above indices show that many Nigerians notably the young and educated population is battling with poverty. It was not long that Nigeria became the laughing stock of the World when in 2018, the World Bank and other multilateral institutions declared the country as the World poverty capital thus sounding another alarm bell for Nigeria’s political leaders.
It should be stated that these poverty indices became prevalent under the administration of President Buhari who took more than six months to put a cabinet in place after he emerged victorious in the 2015 elections. President Buhari’s lack of foresight and passable knowledge of economic issues, in the view of many experts and observers was the main reason for the recession that hit Nigeria in 2016, the first time since independence that the nation’s economy would be in such a mess. Granted that the excesses of the Goodluck Jonathan administration contributed to the economic difficulties the country faced after Buhari took over in 2015, the poor policy choices and outright lack of choice under Buhari’s watch, made economic recession and creeping poverty inevitable.
It was in this condition of recession hangover, continuing corruption in the government and the continuing burden of fuel subsidy that the 2019 polls came. Faced with enormous hardship under Buhari, the majority of the Nigerian people reasoned that voting out the lackluster administration of President Buhari was the way to put a stop to the relentless march of poverty and social dislocation in the country.
The APC and Buhari claimed victory in that election against the postulation of many analysts before the polls. The management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whose uncertain and indecisive public posture on issues arising from the collation of results at the Presidential Election Tribunal also sided with Buhari and his party’s’ claim. However the INEC’s shifty position on the Server issue has convinced many Nigerians that much still needs to be straightened out about the conduct of that election and the declaration of a winner. The final report of European Union election monitors on the conduct and outcome and the nationwide violence that attended the election proper, points to the fact that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar have a strong and genuine case before the Judiciary. It is the view of many Nigerians that Atiku Abubakar, who promised to make Nigeria work again by providing millions of jobs and providing an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to blossom won the 2019 polls and that the judiciary has a duty to tell the world so!
The issue is that having used widespread violence and the coercive instruments of the state to hijack the 2019 election outcome, it is now a task for the nation’s judiciary, to show that it is modern, fearless and independent to reverse the outcome of that election. The judiciary owes this duty to Nigerians not only for the sake of restoring the hope of Nigerians in democracy but rescuing the nation’s economy from the hands of a man who clearly does not know how a modern economy should be run.
The poor economic history of Nigeria under Buhari’s watch, characterized by growing poverty of the population, is the result of poor leadership. President Buhari clearly lacks the knowledge, temperament and leadership to guide a team that can make an economy flourish and the people enjoy a good life.
It was for this reason that when Buhari told Nigerians at the 2019 Democracy Day celebrations that his All Progressives Party (APC) administration can raise 100 million Nigerians from poverty in a period of ten years, those who have observed him since 2015, labelled the statement as hollow. Most Nigerians hold the view that the Buhari persona, his leadership style and his pervasive nepotism and policy of exclusion, means that the president and his party, the APC can only descend people into poverty, not to lift them.
Among the reasons why the growing poverty in Nigeria persists, and might continue despite Buhari’s good intentions are first, the poor and indecisive leadership of Buhari. Second, is the nationwide security problem, violence and killings which has dislocated many Nigerians. Third, is the problem which herdsmen pose to the farming population in the country that has uprooted millions of farmers from their farmlands mostly in the Northern part of the country. Food shortages are more than likely all through Buhari’s four year tenure till 2023, if the judiciary does not rescue the nation from his vice grip by declaring the rightful winner of the 2019 elections. President Buhari has shown that he lacks the will to deal with the problem of insecurity, more so when his military commanders blame everyone except themselves for the security problems in the country including Boko Haram insurgency in the North east region of the country. The insecurity issue has emerged as a disincentive to domestic and foreign investment. Four, the country’s huge population is another factor. With a population today, at 200 million and projected to rise to 400 million around 2050, the nation will be in a messy situation if it does not solve its leadership, social, infrastructural, educational and health delivery problems which are becoming critical by the day. President Buhari is not the type of man to put in place and implement a credible and effective population policy to help ensure that the country can manage its population.
Part of the solution to the poverty problem is the practice of true federalism under which the Federal Government, the States and local government will be responsible partners with each level of government working hard to eradicate poverty among the people under its care. Unfortunately, President Buhari does not believe in true Federalism compared to the opposition candidate in the 2019 polls, Atiku Abubakar who is a disciple of Federalism and who has taken pains to lay out the ways and means of its implementation to free the creative and productive energies of the constituent parts of the country.
Finally, Nigeria according to commentators and agencies who are conversant with the Nigerian economy, is in dire straits. The onus is on all Nigerians with the influence to right the wrongs to ensure that the nation is placed in credible hands.
*Mahmoud Mustapha, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Bauchi.
Kenneth Anetor, Executive Director of A New Thing International Foundation, has been honored with the prestigious Nigerian Emerging Leaders Award. His nearly decade-long journey in the non-profit sector had been marked by notable achievements and a passion for making a positive impact.
Kenneth’s extensive experience as a certified Trainer of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and as a holder of a certificate in Understanding Addiction from Harvard Medical School, had contributed to his well-respected status in the field.
He also recently completed a Diploma in Trans-Mental Health at El-Rohin University London.In his leadership roles, Kenneth served as the Ambassador for the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and for the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs. In addition, he had been elected as the National Treasurer of the National Almond Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAPPMAN), with a four-year tenure.
Kenneth’s collaborations with various organizations, including the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Nigerian Youth Parliament, demonstrated his commitment to reducing drug demand and fostering community development across Nigeria. His passion for health, education, gender rights, and youth development had been evident in all his efforts.
The award ceremony, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos, had recognized the remarkable contributions of emerging leaders like Kenneth Anetor. This event celebrated those who had shaped the future of Nigeria, and Kenneth’s recognition had underscored his role in this movement toward positive change.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with other Civil Society groups have called for holistic support for anti-corruption agencies in the country to end corruption.
They said this at a news conference to discuss the state of corruption and malicious attacks on Anti Corruption institutions in Nigeria both at the national and sub national levels on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Anwal Musa, the Executive Director, CISLAC, said there was the need to support the efforts of anti corruption agencies at grassroot and national level so that Nigeria could have peace.
“We have observed with great concern, the malicious attacks and deliberate efforts to blackmail anti-corruption agencies through sponsorship influencers, incentivised opinion publications in some national dailies.
“Online and electronic platforms, all targeted at discouraging anti-corruption efforts and shielding the kleptocrats from thorough investigation.
“The pattern is clear, there is an unfolding plot of surreptitious moves to backpedal on the progress made by anti-corruption progress.
“Procurement of political appointments by some suspected or investigated looters who are serving under the current administration as ministers, legislators, or occupying leadership positions of the ruling party,” he said.
Musa added: “Has exposed anti-corruption work to serious setback and deliberate sabotage that cripple the efficiency of the anti-corruption agencies.
“So the fight against corruption is for all of us, it is for all Nigerians because the consequences has led us to the situation we have found our selves today.”
Prof. Jubril Ibrahim, Senior Partner, Centre for Democracy and Development said corruption in the country had reached an alarming stage.
Ibrahim said that the judiciary that was supposed to checkmate corruption had been bought over by enablers of corruption and increased corruption through bribery of judges.
“There has been consented war by corrupt people to make sure that anti corruption agencies are unable to prosecute corrupt individuals and preventing such institutions from carrying out their mandate.
“We feel if we allow this destruction of the Nigerian state to continue we will not have a country and the risk is that the present tragedy of anarchy will prevail.
“We must stop this level of corruption form continuing to grow if we must survive as a country,” he said.
The Country Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Mr Odeh Friday, said there was need to set up ethics and integrity department in every MDA to build public trust.
He also called for the implementation of the Whistle Blowing Act to protect whistle blowers from been attacked by those they expose.
Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, said upholding the rule of law was key to fighting corruption.
“Attacks on institutions that have the mandate of defending our democracy should not be encouraged, it is reprehensible, unacceptable .
“When we attack these institutions especially when they act to advance public interest we are undermining trust and the rule of law,” he said.
The Convener, Good Governance (GGT) Team, Mr Tunde Salman said that the fight against corruption should be citizen driven and not government driven.
Salman said there was need to capacitate those agencies of government that have the mandate to investigate corruption, adding that special attention should be given to them and technology should be deployed to reduce human interference.
The CSOs recommended that the National Judicial Council must diligently monitor its members and promptly remove any corrupt judicial officer found to be compromising the judicial system.
“This requires holding politicians accountable for their actions and inactions, strengthening institutions to combat corruption, and ensuring that the allocation of resources is done in a fair and equitable manner.
“We urge the ruling All-Progressive Party (APC) and other political parties to take decisive action in purging its ranks by denouncing and breaking support with their members who are currently being investigated by anti-corruption agencies.
“Adequate resource allocation to the anti-corruption agencies has become imperative to uphold their independence and enhance efficiency in the anti-corruption process.
“We urge I-G to promptly reinstate the police personnel withdrawn from the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission, to facilitate the effective execution of Commission’s duties,” they said.
The news conference was jointly endorsed by 50 civil society organisations supporting anti corruption and Good Governance in Nigeria.(NAN)
The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) has rolled out a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the health risks associated with consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs).
The campaign was launched amidst growing concerns about the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such diabetes and heart diseases.
The NASR Coalition spokesperson, Ms Omei Bongos-Ikwue, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the campaign sought to educate the public and advocate for policy changes to promote healthy lifestyles.
Reports says that according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, NCDs are diseases that are not spread through infection or other people but are typically caused by unhealthy behaviours and genetics.
They are chronic diseases that result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74 per cent of all deaths globally.
Each year, 17 million people die from an NCDs before age 70, while 86 per cent of the deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, WHO said.
Cardiovascular diseases account for most of the deaths.
They are followed by cancers, 9.3 million; chronic respiratory diseases, 4.1 million; and diabetes, two million, including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes.
These four groups of diseases account for over 80 per cent of all NCD deaths.
Tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets, all increase the risk of dying from an NCD.
Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.
Statistics also shows that NCDs are responsible for about 30 per cent of total deaths in Nigeria.
Most NCDs can be prevented if the risk factors are dealt with.
It is against this backdrop that the campaign became necessary, according to Bongos-Ikwue.
She said that the campaign featured buses adorned with images depicting health consequences of excessive sugary drink consumption.
She said that through creative messaging and active community engagement, NASR aimed to capture public attention and spur action to address rise in NCDs across the country.
She said that research had shown a link between sugary drink consumption and onset of diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes.
“Countries worldwide have implemented taxes on sugary drinks to discourage their consumption, leading to reductions in SSB intake and improvements in public health outcomes,” she said.
Also at the campaign launch, Ms Gloria Okwu, a coalition member of NASR, said, “Our objective with this campaign is to enlighten the public about the perils of excessive SSB consumption and advocate policies that promote healthy alternatives.”
Okwu highlighted the impact of NCDs on the population, with an estimated 11.2 million Nigerians living with Type 2 Diabetes.
“In addition to the bus campaign, NASR volunteers conducted on-the-ground activities to educate communities about the detrimental effects of sugary drinks on health.
“Complimentary bus rides were also provided on various routes, allowing members of the public to engage with campaign materials and learn about healthier beverage options,” she said.
She said that the campaign would increase public awareness on health risks associated with SSB consumption, mobilise support for higher sugary drink taxes, and encourage individuals to make healthy choices.
According to her, by addressing the root causes of sugar-related health issues, NASR hopes to contribute to good health of Nigerians. (NAN)
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