As the new year begins, it is time to review the past year and make plans for the new one hoping to achieve better results. Along this line, therefore, Nigerians express their thoughts on sectors/ areas they think the government should focus on this year in other to impact positively on the citizens. Our Correspondent CHINWE MADUAGWU reports.
The year 2017 is now history. 2018 is upon us and it is our reality. As businesses gradually resume after the festivities, it is time to review the past year and make plans for the new year hoping to achieve better results.
As individuals make their new year resolutions, so also should the government after taking stock of its performance in the year past.
To help guide the government in the discharge of its responsibilities towards the people, some Nigerians point out areas, which they say should receive attention this year as a matter of priority.
Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, a Pharmacologist, would want the government to focus on creation of well paying jobs and low cost housing. “Government should build more low cost houses. For instance, heavily populated states should get 10, 000units while other states can get 7, 000units. The houses should be located in different parts of the state to reduce pressure on one part.
“But for this to be attractive, industries such as Agro farms should be built in such areas to provide the needed employment for those living there. For instance, Festac Town in Lagos is a community without good industries to take care of the graduates/youths in that area , if government must build they should make it attractive with the provision of security, electricity good roads and industries,” Mr. Eze said.
He also suggested that the buildings should be allocated or sold to graduates who have left university for up to 5 years and have the means to pay.
For Mrs. Eromon Iwu, house wife, the government should look into providing better amenities. “I would want to see the government pay attention to the provision of amenities like electricity and better roads. Doing these would really make life better for people and the artisans and industries who depend on electricity will be able to grow and give employment to the teeming unemployed graduates and youths.
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“Also the government should revamp the state and federal educational systems, and at least look into the issue of security,” she said.
Dr. Ifeyinwa Adegbulugbe, a dentist, said government should focus attention to education. “For me, the focus should be on education because that is the foundation for growth and progress in this global world. If the government can bring our educational system to the world standard, it will place Nigerian graduates in a better position to compete on the global market.”
According to her, an educated person is an asset to the nation
For Mrs. Comfort Ogwude a retiree, government should focus on repositioning our economy. Her words, “they told us that we are out of recession but Nigerians have not felt it. they should focus on repositioning our economy and they should start by revamping our manufacturing sector and going back to former Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina’s blue print on agriculture.
“Revamping the manufacturing sector will give employment to our young graduates while a booming agricultural sector will bring down cost of food, give employment to the youths and earn foreign exchange for the country, ” she opined.
Mrs. Aminat Talabi, government’s attention should be on how to provide employment for the youths and graduates roaming the streets. “I expect the government to pay attention to employment. Many of our youths who have graduated from the universities and polytechnics have no jobs. Government should establish more industries and enterprises that will employ the job seekers.
“If everybody or at least those who seek employment get jobs, things will be a lot better in this country. In fact, robbery, kidnapping and corruption will be greatly reduced in the country,” she said.
Nigerians have spoken, if only the leaders will listen.
