On the first day of 2024, former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, issued a forthright challenge to the Federal Government, urging it to establish a clear and effective policy direction for the year. This call comes in response to the array of hardships that Nigerians endured throughout 2023, hardships that Atiku believes could have been mitigated with more astute policy-making from the government.
Atiku’s statement, originating from Ndubuisi Orji in Abuja, critically reflects on the previous year, underscoring the dire economic and security challenges that Nigeria faced. He highlighted the rising costs of food items, goods, and services, and the deteriorating state of national and community security as existential challenges that demand immediate and decisive action.
“The past year was definitely a challenging year, but the lessons we took away from it are what should prepare us for the future that the New Year holds,” Atiku stated, emphasizing the importance of learning from past difficulties to shape a better future. He believes that time and season, as creations of the Almighty, are meant for reflection and necessary amendments.
Atiku lamented that many Nigerian families and businesses were acutely aware of the country’s trying times, a situation that could have been different with smarter policy decisions from the government. “Certainly, many families and businesses already know the intensity of the trying times that we are currently going through – though we could have taken a completely different pathway, had the government been smarter with its policy prescriptions,” he expressed.
The former Vice President pointed out the stark reality that numerous companies have ceased operations in Nigeria and relocated to countries with clearer policies and visions, exacerbating the challenges faced by Nigerian citizens. The situation, he noted, keeps getting more dire, and to reverse this trend, a well-conceived national plan centered around the common people of Nigeria is crucial.
Atiku’s vision for 2024 is one where the government takes decisive action to alleviate the acute hardships faced by Nigerians. He called for a well-thought-out vision of national planning that prioritizes the welfare of the common people as the focal point of development. This approach, he argued, is essential to guide the nation out of its current adversities.
“The government must show a clear direction of its policy projections and desist from the subsisting behaviour of groping in the dark,” Atiku insisted, emphasizing the need for the government to move away from uncertainty and indecision. He believes that the new year offers a fresh canvas for the government to chart a new course in addressing the nation’s challenges.
Atiku’s statement is a call to action for the Federal Government to reassess and realign its strategies and policies in light of the nation’s current economic and security challenges. It underscores the urgent need for a coherent and effective policy framework that addresses the critical issues facing Nigerians.
In essence, Atiku’s message is a rallying cry for transformative change in the way the Nigerian government approaches policy-making and national planning. It is an appeal for a shift towards policies that are not only economically sound but also empathetic to the struggles of the average Nigerian. His call reflects a deep concern for the nation’s trajectory and a profound desire to see Nigeria navigate its way to stability, prosperity, and security.
As Nigeria enters 2024, Atiku’s words resonate as a reminder of the power and responsibility of government to effect positive change in the lives of its citizens. His critique of past policies and his call for a new direction are not just a reflection of the challenges faced by the nation but also a beacon of hope for a better, more prosperous Nigeria. In this crucial year, Atiku’s call for clear policy direction is not just a statement of intent but a blueprint for action, a vision for a Nigeria where the government works effectively and efficiently for the betterment of all its people.
