PRESIDENT BUHARI’S HARD TALK ON “FREEBIES”.

Nigerians, lets kindly take a break from the #LazyNigerianYouth mantra and reflect on the response of Mr President to a question asked at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.
He said this:
We have a very young population: our population is estimated conservatively to be 180 million. More than 60 percent of the population is below the age of 30. A lot of them have not been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria has been an oil producing country, therefore they should sit and do nothing and get housing, healthcare and education free.

President Buhari came to limelight in the wake of 2014 on the mantra of good governance, owing same to the decadence and rottenness in the system ascribed to the lack of will of the then administration. He vigorous campaigned personally and through proxies in his party for good governance in Nigeria. Governance in itself is described as the adequate management of a Country’s economic and social resources for development.

Good governance is a pre-requisite to nation-building and national development.
President Buhari swore to protect and preserve the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State of Policy as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The provision of the Constitution is clear on matters bothering on Health, Housing and Education. Section 13 of the Constitution (which is the opening section of Chapter 2) provides:

It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of the Constitution.
On Housing, Section 16(2)(d) of the constitution provides that “the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that Suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled, are provided for all citizens”.

On Healthcare, Section 17(3) (c) and (d) provides that the State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that
The health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused;
There are adequate medical and health facilities for all persons.

On Education, Section 18 deals extensively with that.
Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.
Government shall promote science and technology.

Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall as and when practicable provide-
Free, compulsory and universal primary education;
Free university education; and
Free adult literacy programme.

DO WE NOT DESERVE ALL THESE?
What is there to say again, Nigeria is a party to a lot of treaties and international bodies ensuring adequate provision of healthcare, housing system and education, yet, our President said he does not believe in anything like that.
President Buhari must bear in mind that there is a social contract of four (4) years between the citizens and himself which is renewable for another four (4) years. He should also note that denying the citizens the welfare as provided for as the primary purpose of every government in the Constitution shows his untoward attitude to the citizenry.

President has just told us that he doesn’t believe in good governance and that his administration cannot provide basic amenities of life; good, qualitative and uninterrupted education system; good and functional social welfare programme, effective healthcare delivery and atmosphere devoid of corruption and corrupt practices. What is more to say? Decide for yourself.
NIGERIANS! THINK! 2019.

Written by:
Abimbola Akinyemi Esq
davidabimbolaakin@gmail.com
08106647758