The number of Nigerian delegates that attended last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference, held between November and December, 2023 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates attracted wide condemnation from Nigerians who felt that the amount of money spent by the Federal Government to sponsor, even those who had no business at the conference was a colossal waste, owing to the hardship the country is currently grappling with.
The conference itself was good, and the people supported the idea since it was organised to mitigate the challenge of global warming which also affects Nigeria. However, Nigeria was ranked second as a country with the highest number of attendees, after the host country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who led the delegation then, was barely six months in office. Following the condemnation that trailed such colossal economic waste of tax payers’ money put at several millions of naira, the president promised to cut down on subsequent foreign trips of government officials to 20 percent, at least, to save cost of governance, especially at this time of economic strangulation.
The recent visit of the president to Qatar whereby his two sons, Seyi and Yinka, who are non-state actors, and without any known portfolio in the administration were on the entourage speaks volumes and has continued to raise dust in the public domain. The sons of the president from what we understand, enjoy unhindered access to the seat of power which raises the question whether the leadership of the country has become a family business? The question must also be asked; of all the so-called foreign trips, whether private or official to these countries, how many investors have heeded the president’s call to invest in Nigeria almost one year after his inauguration?
The outcome is there for all to see. The question of insecurity is still raging, in addition to myriad of challenges confronting the nation. That some citizens can waylay a moving truck and empty its content in a desperate move to satisfy their hunger, not even sparing government warehouse in Abuja, the seat of power to loot everything in there, with pockets of agitations here and there, shows that something is wrong, very wrong with the system which should urgently be addressed by the Tinubu administration. Today in Nigeria no one is safe. In fact, most of the rich men and women are more vulnerable than the poor ones, considering the rising rate of insecurity and fear of the unknown.
The government should understand that the spiralling inflation in the country has crippled almost everyone. It has not only reduced the purchasing power of the people, but has also impoverished millions of citizens. What Nigerians need now are policies that promote price stability and sustainable economic growth, rather than being on the defensive. Both the poor and wealthy are not finding it easy either. That is the truth. While we support every move by government to address the economic problems, we enjoin the Tinubu administration to listen to what the generality of Nigerians are saying.
Head or tail, Nigerians are hungry and insecure under the All Progressives Congress government. The idea of the president travelling with his children all the time and wherever he goes, raises eye brow and suspicion among Nigerians on what truly the government is up to. Leadership by example is what the people want, especially from the president who prides himself as one of those who fought for the restoration of democracy in the country.
The dire situation does not require political niceties, but clearly outlined policies to forestall the failures of the past that brought us to where we are today. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should note those pitfalls being the man at the helms of affairs, and give every Nigerian reason to believe in his administration. Enough of promises and overseas trips that have not translated to anything good in the economy. What the people want is quality leadership and food on their tables, no matter what!