P
PressRoom
Guest
The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil have been on for over a week now but, beyond the outrage among Nigerians regarding the perceived maltreatment of the country’s athletes, the Olympic spirit has been tepid so far. Their anger at the government was visible when sprinter Regina George resorted to crowd funding to make it to the Olympic games and the Dream Team VI were infamously stranded at the Atlanta airport. Other than empathising with the athletes, the Olympic fever around the country has been lukewarm at best and national interest is far from palpable. Here are a few things occupying the minds of Nigerians instead of the 2016 Olympic games, in no particular order.
Economy:
Nigerians are eager to see the economy of the country coming back to life. They tend to see the impact of various economic policies of President Muhammadu Buhari turning food on their table.
Asides, the frills and thrills of the 2016 Rio Olympics, Nigerians are patiently waiting to see the prices of food items return to normal considering the recent inflation and interest rates.
The Naira/US Dollar rate
Following the crash of global crude oil prices, the Naira has depreciated dramatically against the US Dollar and this has led to inflated prices for almost everything in the import-dependent nation. The rise of the Dollar has contributed to the increase of several staple goods including rice, garri, maize etc. Earlier this year, the 66 percent increase in petrol price raised the cost of living nationwide. Several businesses have been forced to fold and, in some cases, retrench hundreds of staff as the exchange rate rendered various ventures unprofitable. A few airlines have abandoned their Nigerian routes as a result of the unfavourable rates, leaving Nigerians with limited choices and the government with less revenue to execute its yearly budget. The exchange rate has affected every Nigerian in one way or the other and Nigerians long for better days.
Civil servant Salaries / Employment
Several Nigerian states have struggled to make salary payments for civil servants as their internally generated revenue continues to fall. No fewer than 1005 pensioners have allegedly died as a result of unpaid salaries. Many more have been unable to meet their daily living expenses and have been reduced to borrowing and in some cases, begging. Despite the Federal Government bailout, civil servants do not feel secure about the government’s ability to fulfil its salary obligations in the future and that is a constant source of worry.
Niger Delta Avengers
The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have unrepentantly destroyed vital oil pipelines in the oil-producing part of the region, destabilising the country’s main source of revenue. The fall in oil production has reduced the government’s already depleted resources and undermined any chance of an economic recovery for the nation in the third quarter of the year. With the militant group active, the country’s economic progress will be stalled, as investors find it difficult to invest. Also as a result of this, the government will not be able to execute expansionary policies as planned.
Telemundo Telenovelas:
Spanish language broadcast television network, Telemundo, has captured the hearts and minds of Nigerians nationwide. Now, the station airs on both of Nigeria’s biggest digital satellite TV services. “My Heart Beats for Lola,” “Queen of Hearts,” and “Behind Closed Doors” are just some of the telenovelas keeping Nigerians glued to the edges of their seats. Some Nigerians have been ‘too entertained’ and this was the case when Abuja paediatrician, Mr. Chibuzo Eze, threatened to divorce his wife for her addiction to Telemundo’s telenovelas. It is highly unlikely that Nigerians will sacrifice their daily dose of latin drama to watch the Olympic Games.
Electricity: Electricity supply in Nigeria is a disturbing factor. With constant power supply, Nigerians tends to have feelings of almost everything. First, is to attain growth in business and next is to have a wonderful night rest after day business.
Insecurity:
The incessant strike by various armed men, kidnappers and herdsmen in the country has been serious headache on Nigerians. The citizens are afraid of a society where the Nigerian soldiers have taken over 30 states out of 36 states due to various security threats by herdsmen, militants, robbers and likes.
Economy:
Nigerians are eager to see the economy of the country coming back to life. They tend to see the impact of various economic policies of President Muhammadu Buhari turning food on their table.
Asides, the frills and thrills of the 2016 Rio Olympics, Nigerians are patiently waiting to see the prices of food items return to normal considering the recent inflation and interest rates.
The Naira/US Dollar rate
Following the crash of global crude oil prices, the Naira has depreciated dramatically against the US Dollar and this has led to inflated prices for almost everything in the import-dependent nation. The rise of the Dollar has contributed to the increase of several staple goods including rice, garri, maize etc. Earlier this year, the 66 percent increase in petrol price raised the cost of living nationwide. Several businesses have been forced to fold and, in some cases, retrench hundreds of staff as the exchange rate rendered various ventures unprofitable. A few airlines have abandoned their Nigerian routes as a result of the unfavourable rates, leaving Nigerians with limited choices and the government with less revenue to execute its yearly budget. The exchange rate has affected every Nigerian in one way or the other and Nigerians long for better days.
Civil servant Salaries / Employment
Several Nigerian states have struggled to make salary payments for civil servants as their internally generated revenue continues to fall. No fewer than 1005 pensioners have allegedly died as a result of unpaid salaries. Many more have been unable to meet their daily living expenses and have been reduced to borrowing and in some cases, begging. Despite the Federal Government bailout, civil servants do not feel secure about the government’s ability to fulfil its salary obligations in the future and that is a constant source of worry.
Niger Delta Avengers
The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have unrepentantly destroyed vital oil pipelines in the oil-producing part of the region, destabilising the country’s main source of revenue. The fall in oil production has reduced the government’s already depleted resources and undermined any chance of an economic recovery for the nation in the third quarter of the year. With the militant group active, the country’s economic progress will be stalled, as investors find it difficult to invest. Also as a result of this, the government will not be able to execute expansionary policies as planned.
Telemundo Telenovelas:
Spanish language broadcast television network, Telemundo, has captured the hearts and minds of Nigerians nationwide. Now, the station airs on both of Nigeria’s biggest digital satellite TV services. “My Heart Beats for Lola,” “Queen of Hearts,” and “Behind Closed Doors” are just some of the telenovelas keeping Nigerians glued to the edges of their seats. Some Nigerians have been ‘too entertained’ and this was the case when Abuja paediatrician, Mr. Chibuzo Eze, threatened to divorce his wife for her addiction to Telemundo’s telenovelas. It is highly unlikely that Nigerians will sacrifice their daily dose of latin drama to watch the Olympic Games.
Electricity: Electricity supply in Nigeria is a disturbing factor. With constant power supply, Nigerians tends to have feelings of almost everything. First, is to attain growth in business and next is to have a wonderful night rest after day business.
Insecurity:
The incessant strike by various armed men, kidnappers and herdsmen in the country has been serious headache on Nigerians. The citizens are afraid of a society where the Nigerian soldiers have taken over 30 states out of 36 states due to various security threats by herdsmen, militants, robbers and likes.
SMH