Nigerian President For a Day

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No country is perfect, as each individual citizen has at least one thing that he would love to change if he has the chance to do that. Nigeria is no different, and this is why I will be sharing what I would change if I had the chance and influence to do it, as the president of the nation. The first concern of a nation I believe should be growing the economy, and ensuring that steps taken in this regards should be sustainable. This is why my first points will be geared towards building a sustainable economic growth. Below are the changes I would make in that one day if possible.

Massive Empowerment For Farmers and Revamping The Agricultural Sector

The Nigerian economy rose to global recognition as a result of cultivation and export of cash crops like cocoa and oil palm production in the early 1960s. However, the production of these agricultural products has reduced below expectation as a result of government diverting its attention to the oil and gas sector and paying low or no attention to the agricultural sector. This has caused food shortage in the country, as foods that should have been cultivated in the country are being imported, thereby growing other economies and depleting that of Nigeria.

This government's concentration on oil and gas also put the nation's economy based only on the oil export rate, and oil prices in the global market. The crash in world oil prices in 2014 and 2015 severely hurt the Nigerian economy, forcing it into recession. This is because several other sectors that should have compensated for this had been neglected.

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This is why I am willing to revamp the agricultural sector in Nigeria. This will bring about food security, encourage afforestation, increase food production and processing, and ultimately build the economy of the nation. There is a common saying in my tribe that when hunger is taken care of, poverty is already defeated. Every man's basic need is food. Investing in this sector will make food available and as cheap as possible. This will reduce or totally end dependence on imported farm produce and processed food. I will begin the process that will give willing farmers the necessary tools (e.g. farm machinery, seeds, pest control, fertilizers) needed to practice mechanized farming, as well as providing a ready market for these produce.

Reduction of Cost of Governance

This refers to reduction of people in government and a corresponding reduction in the amount spent on benefits for political office holders. Nigeria is a very wealthy country, but the management of its wealth is faulty, as it encourages corruption in many areas, one of which is in cost of governance. Instead of being seen as commitment to serve the people, political offices are seen as lucrative means of making huge income through fraudulent means. These I will deal with, so that political offices and appointments are seen as service to the nation rather than a rich-quick venture.

^{One significant area of wastage in government is human and vehicular convoy that move with politicians.} source

Currently, the legislative arm of government in Nigeria consists of a Senate with 109 members and a 360-member House of Representatives. First of all, this is a duplication of responsibility. Secondly, the legislators, and other members of the executive and the judiciary arms of government have aides, most times, too much more than needed, and who are being paid by the government. I will therefore enact a law that reduces the members of the legislature, or better still combine the two houses into one, and I will also limit number of aides that a politician can have on the payroll of the government. This excesses in governance allows for redundancy in the workforce, making people receive huge income for doing nothing.

Dedicate More Money Into Tourism

Another huge measure through which the economy of Nigeria can be boosted is by investing massively in tourism. Most of the developed nations of the world have made huge investments in tourism, thereby attracting travelers yearly, who help them build their economy. France, Spain and the United States are top on this list. Likewise, countries like Maldives, Seychelles and British Virgin Islands make the largest chunk of their GDP from tourism. With the great cultural heritage of Nigeria, coupled with our amazing vegetation, we should be one of the leading countries in tourism.

^{Obudu Mountain Resort, Cross River State.}source

I will therefore allocate funds to the development and modernization of tourism sites across the country so as to accommodate travelers and vacationers who will be thrilled to see the wealth of the Nigerian culture, and traditional heritage. Some of the most visited tourist centres in Nigeria are the Yankari National Park, Bauchi state, Obudu Mountain resort, and the Ikogosi Warm Spring in Ekiti state.

Establish State/Regional Police

The security of lives and properties is of utmost importance in any country. Although the security outfits in Nigeria are doing wonderfully, the system is however centralized, i.e only the Federal government controls security outfits. This allows for shortage of security agents, not even considering redundancy among the staff, who are either not trained enough for the job requirement, or who have become unfit due to age and agility or illness.

source

State/Regional policing will ensure that every nook and cranny of the states are covered and the people are adequately policed. These states or regions will be able to come up with ideas and initiatives peculiar to their own jurisdiction, rather than having a general manner of operation that does not address the particular needs of an environment. This approach will further curb crime and ensure the safety of lives and properties.

By the time I am able to achieve the points above, my one day in office must be almost over, if not over already, but other things I will attempt to delve into would be to reduce the power vested of the president/governors, so that the real essence of democracy will take effect, and the people will have an active voice in the affairs of the state.

I will also try to kick-start a process of revamping science and technological institutes in the country to boost research, and encourage technological inventions in all spheres of life - robotics, medicine, agriculture, telecommunications, and so on.

At the end of the day, I will take a very chilled glass of juice, look at myself in the mirror, and say "You have done well!"