Nigerians have quite a number of expectations from their leaders at all strata of government. As Nigeria clocks its 63rd independence, going forward BETTY AMUKPO asked some children to list their expectations of the country’s leaders. They chronicled their respective expectations thus:
‘I want a leader that would be humble, honest and ready to protect the citizens’
As Nigeria turns 63, I personally have great expectations from our leaders and our president of the country. I want a leader that would be humble, honest and ready to protect the citizens of this our great country. Abraham was a great leader and his story can be found in Genesis 11:31. He was very humble and down to earth even with his brother Ur. Also Jacob, the grandson of Abraham was also a great leader (Gen: 25-35, 56-50). Other great leaders are Joseph, Solomon e.t.c. We need a leader that understands what the people are going through and has the fear of God in him. May God help us get such a leader through Christ our Lord, Amen.
• Victoria Okefe
‘I expect our leaders to be God fearing’
The Book of Exodus 18:21 states, “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens”. With Nigeria at 63 years of independence, I expect our leaders to be God fearing and to be able to do what God will be pleased with. Most importantly, stop corruption in all forms so that our country will prosper. Nigerian leaders, please let the infants, children, teens, youths, adults and elderly citizens breathe.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘An enabling environment that would foster innovation, creativity, growth’
My expectation from Nigeria President at 63 is for him to provide the enabling environment that would foster innovation, creativity, and growth on the tech industry. Specifically, I hope for improved infrastructure, support for innovation and investment in quality education. Finally, I hope for a president that would represent us with dignity on the global stage.
• Victory Stephen
‘I want our leaders, especially the President to provide well trained security personnel’
My expectations from our leaders for Nigeria at 63 are as follows:
• Security: I want our leaders especially the president, to provide well trained security personnel for the country so that our territories will be well protected from terrorist attacks and Boko Harams that are killing our people. Not only external protection; but also internal protection as well. Our security forces should be well equipped with modern equipment.
• Social amenities: Our leaders should provide us with good health care centres, hospitals, good roads, pipes borne water, market and provide education for all school age people in the country.
• Salaries: Pay our teachers, lecturers and all workers on time to avoid all kind of strikes, knowing that education is key.
• Infrastructural development: Our leaders should build and maintain factories, industries, refineries, companies, as these will make things easy and provide job opportunities for our graduates and all job seekers. This will boost our economy.
• Chibuike Anyasor
‘Our leaders in Nigeria at 63 should make policies that portray good governance’
A man of 63 years is a fully grown man and in some cases, a grandfather who has gone full circle through life. This also applies to establishments and institutes like my country Nigeria. In light of the above, it is my expectation that our leaders in Nigeria at 63 should make policies that portray good governance by providing social amenities like good roads, good health facilities, quality education, employment opportunities etc. I expect they do what is right in accordance with the constitution of our country, even if the people are against it (Genesis 16). I expect them to bear opposition in good faith (Genesis 37). I expect that they stand and stick up for their people like Moses did (Exodus 3). And although we have gone through a full circle of being a nation, I expect them to be steadfast in the development of our country with the mindset that 63 years have passed, but we still have a longer time to go.
• Munachimso Immanuella Okasi
‘We are fed up with politicians and their empty promises’
My expectations from the government include:
• To ensure tight security for the citizens.
• The Federal and State Ministries of roads should do their jobs. Most of our roads are death traps that need to be repaired. We are fed up with politicians and their empty promises.
• They should provide jobs, social amenities, free education, reduce the price of fuel to ease hardship in the Country. Families can no longer feed, please make Nigeria a better place to live.
• Daniel Maro Ighonana
‘Provide proper security, social amenities like free or affordable education, steady power supply’
Nigeria at 63, I expect the president to provide proper security, social amenities like free or affordable education, steady power supply, clean water supply, etc. I also expect them to provide proper infrastructure, relieve the plight of Nigerians living in poverty and to listen to the cries of the citizens. Deuteronomy 28:13.
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
‘I would like to see a selfless leader who will not embezzle our money’
To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen. My expectation as Nigeria clocks 63 is to see:
• The President who cares for the wellbeing of his citizen not an absentee grammar talking President.
• Good governor who will have the interest of the people at heart.
• Good minister who will pilot the affair of their ministries and the needs of the people effectively and efficiently.
I wish I will wake up on that day being 1st October, 2023 and the President will announce free education, free food, free accommodation and good job for all graduates. I wish to wake up and see Nigeria free from tribalism and religious discrimination. I wish to wake up and see the rich man’s children socialising with the poor man’s children. I want to wake up and a see a good President like Joseph in the bible who did everything in a justified way. I want to wake up and see a selfless leader who will not embezzle our money; I want to see unity among all tribes. May God help us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
• Chima Anita
