Tinubu’s New Year Address: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addresses the Nigerian people as we embark on a new year, 2024. In his New Year message, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the Almighty for His grace and benevolence in the year that has passed. He acknowledged that 2023 was a significant year, marking the peaceful transfer of power to a new administration and further solidifying Nigeria’s unbroken democracy.
President Tinubu’s core mission as President of Nigeria is to build a better nation and improve the lives of its citizens, but because of the wrong implementation of the mission, his citizens are suffering. He campaigned on the platform of renewed hope, promising to revamp the economy, restore security, boost agriculture, and set the country on a path toward national greatness. Since assuming office in May 2023, he has been committed to making difficult decisions that have failed.
Economic Challenges and Oversights
President Tinubu in his speech recognizes the concerns expressed by Nigerians regarding the rising cost of living, high inflation, and the underemployment rate. He assures the nation in his speech that despite the current challenges, tough times never last, and Nigerians are resilient. He urges everyone to remain unbowed and resolve to work together to overcome these socio-economic challenges.
While the journey to economic recovery is ongoing, President Tinubu highlights the progress made in various sectors. One of the major decisions taken was the removal of fuel subsidies, which had been a financial burden for decades. Additionally, he addressed the issue of foreign exchange, ensuring that it benefits not only the rich and powerful but also the entire nation.
The fuel subsidy removal was a failed implementation because it was meant to help the government save more money and take necessary steps towards reforming the country, but in six months, the Tinubu administration borrowed $154 billion. The withdrawal of the subsidy was to provide more public goods and resources to be reallocated to her citizens.
Restoring Security and Peace of Mind
President Tinubu, according to his speech, acknowledges the concerns surrounding security in the country. While he recognizes that more needs to be done, he assures Nigerians that efforts are being made to ensure peace of mind in homes, workplaces, and on the roads. The government has been working silently to free captives from abductors and is committed to tackling security challenges head-on.
Yet despite military operations and presence on December 27, 2023, 115 people were killed. Imagine Nigerians living in societies infamous for being slaughterhouses, and President Bola Tinubu keeps assuring and still planning.
Powering Nigeria’s Future
President Tinubu recognizes that a steady electricity supply is crucial for meaningful economic transformation. During the COP28 in Dubai, he committed to a new deal to accelerate the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project, which aims to provide reliable electricity to homes and businesses. Moreover, power installation projects are underway to strengthen transmission lines and optimize the integrity of the national grid. But how feasible is this commitment when from our budget 10 Trillion Naira for capital expenditure and N8.2 trillion for servicing recurrent debt, and his administration has already borrowed N158 billion for SUVs for 499 house members of the national assembly and building the VP’s Office?
Boosting Agriculture and Ensuring Food Security
To ensure constant food supply, security, and affordability, President Tinubu emphasizes the need to cultivate farmlands across the country. He said the era of business as usual is over in the agricultural sector. But with the high cost of diesel and fuel and the dual foreign exchange of N800/$ and N1200/$, how will these farmers be successful? Most farmers will be buying the dollar at N1200/$ because the bank doesn’t have the dollar to give and this exchange rate is not fixed; there was a time last year (2023) when it went up to 1700/$ in December. Any business plan a farmer had last year will not be feasible this year because of the constant rise in the cost of goods. So The plan to grow staple crops such as maize, rice, wheat, and millet on 500,000 hectares of land in a country with so many uncertainties is likely not to succeed. The National Wheat Development Programme has already been launched, according to Tinubu, with 120,000 hectares of land dedicated to dry-season farming in Jigawa State, but the mission is shaky.
Creating an Enabling Business Environment
President Tinubu said that he is determined to make Nigeria a destination of choice for local and foreign investments. In his statement, he understands the importance of a conducive business environment and aims to remove any obstacles hindering business competitiveness. But does he know that charity begins at home?
Priorities for Governance and Development
President Tinubu’s administration has set eight priority areas for governance and development. These include national defense and internal security, job creation, macroeconomic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security. The 2024 budget reflects the premium placed on achieving these objectives, ensuring that every Nigerian feels the impact of their government. So far, President Tinubu’s administration is doing poorly in terms of macroeconomic stability, internal security, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Unity and Collaboration for a Better Nigeria
In his New Year address, President Tinubu calls for unity and collaboration among Nigerians. He emphasizes that building a prosperous nation is not solely the responsibility of the government but requires the collective effort of every citizen. Regardless of differences in language, creed, ethnicity, or religious beliefs, all Nigerians must work together for the peace, progress, and stability of the country. President Tinubu extends this call to his political opponents, emphasizing that it is time to set aside differences and work together for the greater good.
Conclusion: A Hopeless Future For Nigeria In the Next 4 years Or More
Tinubu’s New Year Address As we enter the new year, couldn’t instill hope and optimism in the hearts of Nigerians. Nigerians are facing challenges, but he reassures the nation that better days lie ahead. With all the economic recovery, security, agriculture, and a conducive business environment, President Tinubu has failed to deliver in 7 months, even if he was determined to create a Nigeria that we can all be proud of. Nigerians would have started seeing a glimpse of hope if his government had started cutting out wastefulness, reducing the cost of governance, building an honest and efficient civil service, and securing and uniting Nigerians.