As Nigeria marks its 66th independence anniversary, a Canadian-based Nigerian cleric and development expert, Pastor Amos Dada, has called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to take urgent steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. In a press statement titled "Nigeria at 66: From Promise to Pains," Pastor Dada emphasized that reducing the pains of Nigerians would prevent political chaos. He suggested several ways to achieve this, including practicing responsible governance and protecting the security of citizens.
Pastor Dada highlighted the importance of protecting free education and improving the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He recommended that the government guarantee free, compulsory primary and secondary education, with funding that reaches schools and supports learning. Additionally, he suggested progressively expanding tuition-free access in public tertiary institutions, as Obafemi Awolowo did when Nigeria had no crude oil. This, he believes, would make education more accessible to Nigerians.
The cleric also emphasized the need to upgrade the nation's healthcare system. He suggested that the government upgrade at least one major referral hospital in each of the six geopolitical zones, with clear standards for staffing, equipment, essential medicines, and specialist services. Furthermore, he recommended publishing annual hospital-readiness results and the number and cost of publicly funded overseas medical referrals for conditions treatable in Nigeria.
Pastor Dada also stressed the importance of providing reliable and affordable electricity to Nigerians. He suggested that the government focus on expanding grid connections, mini-grids, and other local power solutions for homes, farms, and businesses. Additionally, he recommended setting a four-year target for new, verified connections and reporting it publicly. For industrial areas, he suggested measuring power availability, outages, and cost each month.
The cleric also suggested reducing fuel costs through competition, efficient refining, and targeted relief. He recommended publishing the components of petrol prices, including refining or import costs, transport, taxes, and margins. Furthermore, he suggested setting clear, independently audited milestones for local refineries, including actual operating capacity and litres supplied.
Pastor Dada lauded President Tinubu's efforts on infrastructural development, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway. However, he also emphasized the need to repair and maintain existing federal roads, many of which carry daily traffic for families, farmers, and businesses. He suggested publishing an annual road-condition scorecard, listing roads needing urgent repairs, and reporting kilometres repaired, project costs, completion dates, and road-safety improvements.
Finally, Pastor Dada emphasized the need to overhaul the corruption-control system and make corruption unattractive. He suggested that anti-corruption institutions must do their work impartially and consistently, regardless of a person's party, position, or connections. Additionally, he recommended a comprehensive review of the whole corruption-control system, including the mandates, independence, and coordination of its agencies.
Key points
- Pastor Dada urges President Tinubu to take concrete steps to reduce hardship in Nigeria.
- The cleric suggests several ways to alleviate suffering, including protecting free education and improving healthcare.
- Pastor Dada also emphasizes the need to provide reliable and affordable electricity, reduce fuel costs, and overhaul the corruption-control system.
