Dear Readers, it’s a New Year! We’ve anticipated the coming of this year and it’s here finally To God be the Glory. 2016 is a year majority of Nigerians will not want to remember young and old, Rich and Poor. The situation was hectic to say the least. The just concluded Christmas celebrations is one of the most pathetic ones we’ve had in Nigeria in recent years according to the Post-Christmas day cartoon of Guardian Nigeria Newspapers, The increase in Air Fares and commodities among other increment marred the Christmas celebrations. A sharp contrast to what we have in 2015. But as a Nation this is the time to be focused and forward looking in our approach towards life and change our tactics just as we have in the game of Football. Change of tactics is the norm when a game is not going on well such is expected of Nigerians in 2017.
2017 as a year may not be little different from what we have in 2016, I know you may not like to hear this but it’s a fact we need to tell each other. Forget those Prophecies being churned out by those “Men of God” it’s all fluke. Their Prophecies have never worked and its always targeted towards Popular Figures that could run to them for Prayers with Dollars and Pounds for reversal of Prophecies and not ordinary Nigerians, in 2016 one of my Family Member was Murdered in Broad Daylight by unknown Gunmen in Port Harcourt while going home their Prophecies never saw his death but they will see that of Governors, senators and Businessmen. Dear Readers you don’t need Prophecies to navigate 2017 as the year has presented us with tough choices to make as Nigerians.
As at December 2016 the unemployment rate and inflation rate according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics is 13.9% and 18.4% respectively. The Prices of commodities is still rising and it hasn’t spared anyone both Rich and Poor. For you to know Aliko Dangote lost 32% of his wealth in 2016 according to the Bloomberg Billionaires index released on the 28th of December 2016 bearing this in mind, Dangote have majority of his businesses In Nigeria so how much will he loose by the end of 2017 if the Economic situation remains the same ? His case is one out of many business men that have closed shop.
The APC Led federal Government have not given the right Leadership expected. In 2016 it’s been business as usual from the corruption allegation against the EFCC Chairman to the one against the SGF among others it’s not yet Uhuru. Despite all these the Federal Government needs to give hope to Nigerians that 2017 will be better for them. we are tired of hearing of Jonathan This, Jonathan That the President should sit-up and live up to expectations as the suffering in 2016 was too much, and there is no sign 2017 will be better it can only be better if the Government do the right thing. I’m not saying all these to scare us but to prepare us for what’s ahead in case the Government refuse to Act. Take it or leave it President Buhari will be in Charge till 2019 and it’s a long way from 2017. So what do we need to Navigate 2017?
Nigerians must make financial discipline a way of life, Nigerians are naturally heavy spenders with high taste for the good things of life but nowadays we should be conscious of our environment and embark on an environmental determinism ways , we need to cut our coat according to our size, don’t buy what you don’t need ,don’t crave for unnecessary things, the Economy is at an all time low, the recession that was predicted to end by December 2016 is still going strong , the Exchange rate is now hovering at 500Naira to a dollar we must be financially discipline to navigate through 2017 successfully And have a better year . With Financial Discipline all other things will fall in line well.
Also in 2017 goal setting should be a part of us. Nigeria as a country and Nigerians in Particular have not been an expert in goal setting and goal attainment that’s why we have vision 2020 and while the failure of vision 2020 is starring at us we’ve changed it to vision 202020 what a sad turn of event .As a result each and every one of us must brace up and work on our goals towards its achievement as the economic situation shouldn’t dampen our thinking despite how the country was in 2016 young entrepreneurs and various achievers were Nominated and Honoured at the 11th Future awards Africa, as a result we have no choice than to achieve our goals .we must learn not to be government dependent and chart the course for ourselves .it will surely work out.
I will like to end this with a Primary school Poem as a watchword for 2017. Though your way may be dark as Night there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a Forward Looking Nigerian Youth, He Writes from Ikorodu Lagos
For more of his writings visit www.donteewrites.blogspot.com
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Thank you Dontee. Don't crave for unnecessary things and don't buy what you don't need maybe to impress or show off.
ReplyFinancial discipline is the key.