Nigerians task government on their expectations for 2021

After days of subdued Yuletide celebrations occasioned by adherence to COVID-19 protocols and recession-induced low disposable income, Nigerians look forward to the New Year with a fresh start and renewed hope.

But there is a snag, beyond turning the pages of the 2021 calendar and setting goals for themselves, their expectations are somewhat dampened by developments in the country and their expectations from elected leaders.

Speaking with The Guardian, some citizens shared their concerns about 2021 prospects.

Ms Tosin Oladunjoye, an entrepreneur, said: “When you look at all we went through and what happened in 2020, security should be the major concern for the government at this time. The #EndSARS protests showed that the country is hanging on a thin line. The country can be pushed closed to collapsing if investments in either capacity development or infrastructure are allowed to be vandalised due to public resentment. Security will ensure the protection of such public and private investment, which will, in turn, provide employment opportunities for the people.”

For Johnson Afolabi, a student, tackling youth unemployment would make the government to breathe easy and work unhindered in other sectors.

“Security and electricity is important to the growth and well-being of citizens. However, in 2021, the government should focus more on employment, because earning a living makes human life tick. Having functional jobs created for the mass of energetic youths takes care of insecurity, as many of those indulging in crime would be engaged. Crime rates will drop significantly; people will be empowered with jobs that earn them good living and the idle hands won’t be a tool for the devil’s workshop,” Afolabi said.

Loveth Adeh, a shop owner, urged the government to scale up its interventions in sustaining small businesses in the country. According to her, this would alleviate hardship in the country.

“The government should commit more resources to create job opportunities this year. You know, we have millions of citizens without a university degree or some form of higher education certification. If the government can provide an enabling environment where people can learn technical and vocational skills, it will take thousands off the streets and empower them to make a decent living. This will help, in no small way, to move the country forward.”

Another citizen, Vivian Solomon, speaking on her expectations, said she couldn’t go home to celebrate the Yuletide with her family in Kaduna because of insecurity.

“It is not that I don’t have money to travel to Kaduna, where my parents live, but the route to Kaduna is unsafe. Kidnappers no longer target the children of the rich only; they block the highways and abduct anyone they see.

“Apart from the insecurity, the government must work to address this notion among youths that education is not worth it. The popular slang now is ‘school na scam,’ a reason many are venturing into Yahoo Yahoo, ritual killings, fraud, and other forms of crime.”