Despite his assurances on anti-corruption war and youth empowerment, President Muhammadu Buhari’s New Year broadcast seems clearly to have fallen below the expectations of Nigerians.
A vox pop conducted by Political Economist among various cross sections of Nigerians showed that the president’s message failed to practically address the fears and anxiety among the people.
Most respondents said they had expected the president to be specific on the issue of insecurity which made many Nigerians not to undertake their usual festive trips across the nation.
“The president did not tell us how he intends to handle the growing insecurity different from what he has been doing which seemed not to be working. We want specifics. Is he carrying on with the same set of service chiefs against the cries and suggestions of Nigerians?”, queried Mr. Abiodun Shonubi, a chain store owner.
Another area respondents wanted more specifics from President Buhari is in the area of youth empowerment. They argued that the #EndSARS protests that rocked the nation last year was as a result of negligence of the youths even as governments continued to mouth youth empowerment at various levels of government.
Over all, respondents said the president failed to inspire hope in them especially as they are still confronting the bogey of covid-19 pandemic.
President Buhari had in his New Year message assured Nigerians that the country will survive and thrive in spite the ongoing socio-economic challenges facing the it.
He said the challenges would be faced head-on with renewed determination and urgency required.
The president maintained that as elected President and Commander-in-Chief he had no option but to ensure the safety of lives and property of all citizens.
He also pledged to continue to listen to viable advice and suggestions on how best to address these challenges for the nation’s progress.
He said: “In the midst of all these challenges, I had initially pledged that as your elected President and Commander-in-Chief, I would ensure that these ongoing challenges will be faced head-on with renewed determination and with all the appropriateness and urgency required.
“Your voices have been heard and we would continue to listen to you, and all the key stakeholders who are committed to the unity of Nigeria to ensure that every region of this nation is safe for us all, while guaranteeing that the future is also secure for the coming generation.’’
The president, who saluted the courage of the nation’s youth, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to securing the future of the youth.
He noted with delight that many of the young people had been excelling in various spheres of life including sports, entertainment, information and communication technology, commerce and globally recognised as achievers.
“I wish to also use this occasion of New Year to reaffirm my commitment to the people of Nigeria, especially the youth who need our collective encouragement and support. In securing this nation we need to secure the future of our youth.
“Our young people are our most valuable natural resource, at home and abroad. Their ingenuity, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is evident to all.
“Many of our young people are excelling in various spheres of life including sports, entertainment, information and communication technology, commerce and are globally recognized as achievers.
“As a Government we are committed to actively engaging with the creative energies of our young people,’’ he said.
Buhari said the executive arm would continue to partner with the legislature to develop an enabling environment to turn the youths passions into ideas that could be supported, groomed and scaled across the country.
According to him, this will create vast opportunities in fintech, agriculture, business process startups and in the entertainment industry.
“The year 2021 will indeed be a year where we will work to reinforce the hopes of fellow Nigerians in the vision of a united and progressive Nigeria,’’ he further emphasised.
He said the administration would continue focusing on delivering key strategic priorities under its “SEA” — Security, Economy and Anti-Corruption — Agenda.
