News Analysis: Nigerians call for new solutions to old challenges as Buhari takes oath for 2nd term

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-30 03:23:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday took the oath of office at a low-key ceremony for a second consecutive term, and experts are calling for concrete and concerted efforts from the leadership to bring the most populous African nation to the "next level" of development and prosperity.

The country's prospects remain bright, given its huge reserves of human capital and natural resources, but there are old challenges in need of new and practical solutions, experts have said.

Charles Onunaiju, a political analyst, urged the new government to take measures that can produce sustainable results.

"We have to find a way of engaging serious policy outcomes. We do hope that this new government can muster the insight to build that kind of framework that can deliver sustainable results in the long run," Onunaiju said.

Finding a way of appropriating Nigeria's intellectual capital, which is not in short supply, and putting them to use; pulling people out of poverty, taking measures to arrest some of the excessive social misadventures; rein in the political class and their greed, among others, are some of the ways of putting the country and its citizens on the next level, according to Onunaiju.

"To do all these, we need a new way of thinking, a new way of doing things and a new way of addressing problems. If this is done, then we can begin to see prospective areas of improvement," he said.

To most of the citizens, an improved economy, broadly-developed social intervention programs, enhanced security, and infrastructural development are some of the areas that can take the country to the next level.

Olusola Oke, a lawyer, said the first four years of President Buhari in the saddle have been eventful, tough and delivered landmarks for the nation.

There were high and low moments, too, Oke noted. "What is evident is that the issue of our economy, special intervention programs and budgetary discipline amidst complex security challenges have enjoyed some attention."

According to the legal luminary, the next four years are expected to mark the beginning of a more concerted effort of the government in the area of the desired growth of the economy at large. "It will take time but we shall certainly get there," he said.

In 2016, Nigeria slipped into recession a year after Buhari took office in May 2015 and exited recession at it returned to growth in 2017.

In March, 2017, the government introduced the Economy Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), a national plan aimed at diversifying the economy as well as laying the foundation for sustainable economic development.

Solomon Dalung, a former sports minister, told Xinhua he expects to see an improvement in the economy in no distant time. This, aided by massive infrastructural development across the country, is an integral part of the government's blueprint to take the country to a new level of prosperity, he noted.

"There is going to be so much happening in the economy. There is going to be so much happening in infrastructural development, too. And then, there is going to be so much happening in security because the president believes that securing Nigeria is his primary responsibility," Dalung said.

So far, the military under Buhari's command has clearly made the Boko Haram terror group less effective than they were four years ago when he became president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

However, banditry and kidnapping for ransom across Nigeria, including the capital Abuja, are on the rise recently. Deadly attacks by herdsmen have also become a cause for worry lately.

Michael Ogbonnaya, a businessman, said the government must renew its efforts at tackling insecurity in parts of the country.

"I know the government is working to ensure that Nigerians move freely without fear. However, I believe more could be done," Ogbonnaya said.

Kunle Adeyemi-Doro, a Lagos-based medical expert, believes it takes more genuine efforts toward driving social investment, more practical steps in the educational space and giant strides in agriculture, and the diversification of the economy, among others, to guarantee a brighter, rewarding future for the citizens.

"The economy will grow, it will improve. It is a step-by-step growth process. No country becomes phenomenal overnight," he said, adding "with the drop in corruption, the restructuring of the economy, I am expecting to see significant improvement in the next four years."

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