…Says Nigerians’ reality enough test for Tinubu’s prosperity promise

By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The Director, Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, Professor Anthony Kila, has said Nigeria’s October 1, Independence Day address should focus on the country’s history, founding vision and national journey rather than the policies and achievements of the government in power.

He spoke on Arise Tv while reviewing President Tinubu’s 66th Independence Day broadcast, positing that the address should reflect on the contributions of nationalist Anthony Enahoro, Nigeria’s struggle for independence and the transition from regional government to a united nation.

Kila said: “The speech of October 1st should not be about the government of the day. It is before the government of the day and it will be after the government of the day. I love the content of the speech, but I disagree with the timing. I think that speech should be about Anthony Enahoro, about how we got our independence, about the vision we had, about how we transition from a regional government.”

Also, he said that the President’s declaration that Nigeria has moved from the era of painful economic reforms into an “age of prosperity” should be subjected to measurable tests against everyday experiences of Nigerians rather than accepted or rejected on the basis of optimism or political sentiment.

The President had said the next phase of his administration would prioritise reducing the cost of living, creating productive jobs, expanding industrial growth and improving access to credit, while stressing that prosperity must translate into better living conditions for Nigerians.

He said the President’s optimism should not be the basis for accepting his claims, just as his critics should not reject them without examining the evidence, adding that the speech provided a clear framework through which the administration’s economic performance could now be assessed.

He said: “We should not accept the speech just because of the optimism he gives us. Nor should we reject it just because we are on the other side. That doesn’t make sense. It is a speech that needs to be tested with what the President has said.”

Kila said one significant development from the administration was what he described as greater certainty in the foreign exchange market, but added that the next phase must determine whether such macroeconomic changes were translating into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

He said the critical questions should include whether Nigerians could access loans more easily, whether food and transportation costs were falling, whether electricity was becoming more stable and whether young graduates could secure productive employment.

“In the offices, in the classrooms, in the market and in the banks, what people will be asking is: how has this affected my life?” he said.

Kila said the administration must still demonstrate that the promised prosperity was becoming a reality.

He said: “If you change the direction of a ship or a car, it doesn’t mean you’ve arrived at your destination. Other elements like the weather, capacity of the driver and the amount of fuel you have in it will still come into play.”