THEIR PRIORITY IS THE NATIONAL CAKE

TWW Meets a Rational Mind

It’s another Thursday and it’s another interview. We have gotten awesome feedback from the earlier published interviews and I’m sure this one would be no different. If you had been waiting for this, you won’t be disappointed.

For most of our reading audience, Nigeria has never had it this bad in her economy as a country. It might have happened in time past, but we were either too young or weren’t even born yet. This hasn’t stopped the horror of seeing a lot of things cripple nationally, which has caused a tumbling of the economy. The naira has weakened by about 4 times its value to the dollar ten years ago, and the slide has continued.

Our interview here brings us to the quarters of a brilliant, rational mind, skilled at analysing and dissecting the economic situation of the country. An economist by training, he shares with us on the state of the economy and what it forbears for the citizens, especially with the general elections around the corner.

TWW: Good morning, sir. We’re glad to be here. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

IO: I am Ifeanyichukwu Benedict Okpala.

TWW: Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?

IO: I am a graduate of the department of Economics from the prestigious University of Jos. I got my first degree in the year 2017, and I have practiced my discipline in both academic and non-academic terrain.

TWW: There is a lot of vibe in Nigeria right now, especially with respect to the general elections coming up. Are you prepared to participate fully as a citizen of the country?

IO: If I say I am not prepared, it means I am one of the most unserious citizens of the country. This is to say that I am highly prepared to exercise my franchise as a citizen of the country and carry out my civic duty.

TWW: Speaking of the elections, there would be a lot of money being spent here and there by politicians and their sponsors. This is coming at a time when the country is in a negative economic situation and students are sitting at home, thanks to the strike that commenced four months ago. Would you say our leaders have their priorities in the right place?

IO: Of course, the answer is no. The primary role of every government is to cater for the welfare of its citizens and looking at the state of our country, we could say that the welfare of the citizens is nothing to write home about.

Taking a critical look at the macroeconomic indicators, you can see that there is high rate of unemployment, high rate of underemployment, inadequate social amenities, high rate of insecurity, and so on. Add that to the students at home, and here we have our leaders spending millions of naira, and even dollars, trying to set themselves up for the elections next year.

This shows that the citizens are not a priority to them; their priority is how to dig in and get their share of the national cake.

TWW: We’ve probably gone ahead of ourselves, but we would like to know, why is the economy this bad? What caused it to be so bad and what has kept it this way?

IO: Many factors have contributed to the decline of the economy. These factors range from nepotism to ethno-religious conflict, corruption, and of course, we cannot rule out the chief of them, insecurity.

 These have led to food scarcity, high rate of inflation, and also, I would not even talk about the problem that has been created with the huge rate of borrowing the country has embarked upon. There are no new industries, no new jobs, and the few jobs available are reserved for the elites and those who find favour with them.

TWW: So, this is why our economic growth and development as a nation has slowed down drastically, right?

IO: You have practically said it yourself.

TWW: Are you saying that all the money being spent on the elections would not improve the state of the economy?

IO: The most it can do is make people feel good for a while. Surely, a number of people would benefit from it, whether legally or illegally, but since it does not address the root of the problem in the country, it would have no significant effect.

TWW: This has been quite an eye opener for me, and I am sure many of our readers would be enlightened by this. Could you just list out three ways out of this economic mess we are in?

IO: First, we must look inward to find how to harness the abundant human and natural resources we have as a country. Secondly, security must be given top priority. People cannot be dutiful citizen working to build or restore the economy when their lives are at risk. There is too much uncertainty in that regard and it must be addressed by the ruling class.

Finally, the government should find more helpful ways to support and grow small businesses across the country. This would boost productivity and job creation greatly.

TWW: Thank you sir. As we bring this interview to a close, do you have any word of advice for our youthful population as the elections draw closer, amidst the expected sponsorship of violence and vandalism in this period?

IO: The youths, like myself, must realise that the future is now, and that the power lies in our hands to change the things that we don't like. Get your voter's card, and do the needful when the time comes.

TWW: With how you speak, are you sure you don’t have political ambitions yourself in the near future?

IO: That's rather funny, but the answer for now, is no. If there is a need for me in the corridors of power tomorrow, we can talk about it then, but for now, no.

TWW: Thank you very much, sir.

IO: It is my humble pleasure