Having to deal with the triple menace of Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and militancy may seem too much for a president but, at this moment, there are more to being the president of the most populous black nation than solving only the three.
Many would argue that aside corruption, the other major challenge posing threat to Nigeria’s existence is security. However, there are other grave issues that requires urgent attention of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Identified below are 6 issues that must be urgently attended to by Mr. President.
1. Flood
Nigeria is currently experiencing one of the worst cases of flood in recent time. In 2015, flood killed 53 people, displaced over 100,420 people in 11 states across the federation. However, the 2016 experience seems poised to surpass the bad record. Already, in Kaduna, flood has Destroyed over 300 houses, displaced more than 10,000. In Lagos, close to that number are already roofless while the state still grapple with the sad story of Faisa Mohammed, a 16-year-old newly-wed teenager who died due to mudslide in her Agidingbi home three days ago. In Ogun, resident now paddle canoe on roads built for cars due to flood. More than 20 have died in 2016 and emergency agencies are still counting. More than security, Mr. President in collaboration with state governors need to look into this.
2. Hunger
The resultant effect of joblessness, high cost of living and less social welfarism have been grave on Nigeria in 2016. Last week, two people committed suicide due to hunger and inability to cater for their families with one of them shouting Buhari, Buhari, Buhari before jumping into the river. Another case was recorded this week. In the far north, IDPs were reported to be feeding on wild plants while many Nigerians keep the hunger pain to themselves, suffering in silence. It is high time the federal government did something about this.
3. Rape
Rape headlines are no longer bad news in Nigeria, they have become normal. And if a newspaper publication does not cover some rape cases, it is generally assessed as not covering all. This is the present situation of rape in the country. The last and most outrageous of them was the rape of 6-month-old little Hajara who was raped till her intestine was ripped out. The 40-year-old teacher that perpetrated the act was reported to have been released by the police and the rape cases goes on, on and on. Mr. President, is this how we are supposed to live?
4. Quelea birds
Already, the Commissioners of Agriculture in 4 northern states have confirmed the presence of the birds, signaling a hunger epidemic. The quelea birds are capable of destroying farmlands leaving the farmer at no mercy. Famine looms Mr. President!
5. Religious crisis
This has always been with the country but only exists and turns bloody in fractional geographical parts. However, the case of religious fanatism has gone national. Just recently, 8 people were killed in Zamfara state and yet, there’s been no justice for the deceased. In June, a redeemed preacher was murdered by Muslim youths in Abuja. Similar case was experience in Niger. And just yesterday, Christian elders attacked Sultan of Sokoto for ‘declaring public holiday’ when it is the constitutional duty of the president. Hostility exist in every part of the country and something need to be done and done quickly.
6. Lassa fever
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control have confirmed the virus in 4 states; Plateau, Rivers, Bauchi and Gombe states. Worse still, Ondo was added to the state yesterday. The virus need to be curtailed before it spread too wide.
Many would argue that aside corruption, the other major challenge posing threat to Nigeria’s existence is security. However, there are other grave issues that requires urgent attention of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Identified below are 6 issues that must be urgently attended to by Mr. President.
1. Flood
Nigeria is currently experiencing one of the worst cases of flood in recent time. In 2015, flood killed 53 people, displaced over 100,420 people in 11 states across the federation. However, the 2016 experience seems poised to surpass the bad record. Already, in Kaduna, flood has Destroyed over 300 houses, displaced more than 10,000. In Lagos, close to that number are already roofless while the state still grapple with the sad story of Faisa Mohammed, a 16-year-old newly-wed teenager who died due to mudslide in her Agidingbi home three days ago. In Ogun, resident now paddle canoe on roads built for cars due to flood. More than 20 have died in 2016 and emergency agencies are still counting. More than security, Mr. President in collaboration with state governors need to look into this.
2. Hunger
The resultant effect of joblessness, high cost of living and less social welfarism have been grave on Nigeria in 2016. Last week, two people committed suicide due to hunger and inability to cater for their families with one of them shouting Buhari, Buhari, Buhari before jumping into the river. Another case was recorded this week. In the far north, IDPs were reported to be feeding on wild plants while many Nigerians keep the hunger pain to themselves, suffering in silence. It is high time the federal government did something about this.
3. Rape
Rape headlines are no longer bad news in Nigeria, they have become normal. And if a newspaper publication does not cover some rape cases, it is generally assessed as not covering all. This is the present situation of rape in the country. The last and most outrageous of them was the rape of 6-month-old little Hajara who was raped till her intestine was ripped out. The 40-year-old teacher that perpetrated the act was reported to have been released by the police and the rape cases goes on, on and on. Mr. President, is this how we are supposed to live?
4. Quelea birds
Already, the Commissioners of Agriculture in 4 northern states have confirmed the presence of the birds, signaling a hunger epidemic. The quelea birds are capable of destroying farmlands leaving the farmer at no mercy. Famine looms Mr. President!
5. Religious crisis
This has always been with the country but only exists and turns bloody in fractional geographical parts. However, the case of religious fanatism has gone national. Just recently, 8 people were killed in Zamfara state and yet, there’s been no justice for the deceased. In June, a redeemed preacher was murdered by Muslim youths in Abuja. Similar case was experience in Niger. And just yesterday, Christian elders attacked Sultan of Sokoto for ‘declaring public holiday’ when it is the constitutional duty of the president. Hostility exist in every part of the country and something need to be done and done quickly.
6. Lassa fever
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control have confirmed the virus in 4 states; Plateau, Rivers, Bauchi and Gombe states. Worse still, Ondo was added to the state yesterday. The virus need to be curtailed before it spread too wide.
