LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

Through the grace and mercy of God Nigeria have successfully conducted a peaceful
presidential transition. Nigeria is a blessed country rich in both human and natural resources
however these blessings are not fully enjoyed by its citizens. Nigerians can play the blame
game or decide to move forward, learn from the past and aspire for a better future. The
Nigerian populace have decided to look forward when they voted for change, a slogan of
hope, during the last election. So how can this change which we collectively dreamt and
fought for materialize into a present-day reality.
Planning is paramount. There is a common adage that if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.
Nigeria needs long, medium and short term plan for the federation, the states and the FCT.
This will lead to a cohesive movement towards a specified goal. The country will be forced to
look ahead, be more coordinated and have a better control of future events. Most areas in the
current state of the nation need a complete and rapid restructuring in order for the change
which the nation dreams of to come into reality. However, the following areas should be
restructured immediately in order to improve the economic development of the nation.
The educational system has fast becoming outdated and irrelevant to the current Nigerian
environment. A system which does not take account of changes in the environment will not
be expected to produce quality. The Nigerian educational system gave children hope that
once they worked hard and passed through the educational system their lives will be better off
because they will have acquired skills which will enable them get jobs. This is still a valid
notion however the way it is implemented in the current Nigerian educational system has led
to large scale unemployable youth. Entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and originality
are the drivers of success in the present era, hence, should be part of the educational system.
Former American president John Kennedy said dont think of what your country can do for
you but what you can do for your country. The concept of what I can do for my country
should be the theme of the Nigerian educational system. The former CBN Governor HRH
Lamido Sanusi once said that if Nigerians can change their moral compass the nation will be
a better place. This is essential for Nigerias success and children which are the leaders of
tomorrow should be reintroduced to this notion.
Empowerment is another area that can lead to economic development. The teeming youth,
women, rural communities and the unemployed populace should be empowered in order for
them to contribute to the development of the nation. The middle class group in Nigeria has
largely been eroded but a rebirth of this group can solve the high unemployment problem of
the nation. The South East Asian countries have developed their economy by supporting
small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Their model shows that by encouraging small and
medium enterprises unemployment reduces, the economy is stimulated, taxation increases,
international trade increases and the burden on government is reduced because of the growth
of the private sector. Every sector should be open to SMEs participation. This will lead to
competition. Innovation will set in as every company want to increase market share

Infrastructure is a major component for economic development. Multinationals identify that

they decline to invest in the country because of the lack of infrastructure. Infrastructures are
the fundamental facilities and structures that are needed for a country or region to function
properly. Basic infrastructure such as good road network, rail system, ports both air and sea,
electricity, waste management, water supply and healthcare system; needs to be brought up to
standard. All major highways connecting states with each other should be dual carriage road
and this should facilitate the easy movement of people and goods around the nation.
Introduction of modern train system will increase the life span of the road network because it
will bear some of the burden of transportation across the nation. Modernization of the sea
ports will facilitate the growth in international trade so also will establishing modern airport
promote tourism. Investment in a national carrier through a public private partnership will
promote patriotism among Nigerians. Increase in competition in the aviation sector will bring
about efficiency and fall in prices. Medical tourism has become a norm in our nation. Citizens
will be confident of getting the best medical care within the nation when better health care
system with medical insurance is provided thereby reducing the demand for medical tourism.
In as much as planning is important more effort should be spent on implementation of the
plan. No plan is complete and cannot be fully executed without the guidance of God. So also
without peace and unity in the nation, implementation of a plan will be difficult. More effort
should be put in place to promote patriotism, peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance.
Likewise effort should be put in place to mitigate corruption, bribery, bias based on religion
and ethnicity. All these incorporated with good leadership improve the chance for a
successful implementation of the plan. Jon Stewart in his show finale, attributed his success
to the staff who he pointed out helped him to achieve such great height. The major point
emphasised here is that every successful manager always have a hardworking, dedicated staff
to help actualize the vision of the manager. As ministers, special assistants, directors,
permanent secretaries and all appointed executives are drafted; special attention should be
given to those who possess the zeal, desire and willingness to be nationalistic in executing the
presidents plan for the nation.
The nation should realize that change is not meant for a selected people or institution but for
all. This is best emphasized in the word of Michael Jackson in his song Man in the Mirror
If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that
change