2 WEDNESDAY , MAY 24 , 2017
Vox pop
How would you rate President Buhari ’ s two years in office ?
EXPECTATIONS were high when
President Muhammadu Buhari came on board and we had hoped that he would hit the ground running . However , it took about six months before he appointed members of his cabinet . The reasons adduced are known to everybody as they bordered on the rot and decadence in the system . But now , almost two years after , not much has been achieved . Be that as it may , we can see a lot of positives coming up .
Take the health sector for example . Things have been just the way they used to be . The National Health Bill which was passed by the National Assembly has yet to become operational and that is a big hindrance to a big leap in the health sector .
That in itself would have helped a lot of universal coverage concerning the National Health Insurance Scheme which is presently at about five or six per cent . Implementing the law would have ensured coverage of not less than 75 per cent or 80 per cent of Nigerians . It would have provided universal health coverage for rural dwellers in such a way that they would not need to come to urban centres to access health care .
In terms of health budgeting , the World Health Organisation has a standard of not less than 20 per cent of the nation ’ s budget to the health sector . We were hovering between four and six per cent during the last administration . Unfortunately , we just managed to hit around five per cent again this year after it dropped to four per cent last year .
The tenure of a lot of medical directors has expired . Some of them are heading up to two years and there has not been
IT has been a mixed bag of blessings and setbacks . Blessings , in the sense that we have witnessed a formidable attack on corruption which has been a major problem in Nigeria ’ s politics . There have been setbacks in the sense that there have been many challenges confronting the anti-corruption crusade .
For instance , there has been a cat and rat relationship between the executive and legislative organs , and this has impacted negatively on the anti-corruption initiative .
Also , because Nigeria has been enmeshed in economic crises , people
• Dr Iro Aghedo ( Lecturer , University of Benin )
• Dr Kunle Olawepo , ( Chairman , Nigerian Medical Association , Kwara State branch )
appointment in up to 15 or more federal tertiary institutions where the tenures of the previous chief executives had expired .
There is nothing to cheer about in the health sector except maybe the appreciable improvement in the timing of interventions during outbreaks of infectious diseases . We all know about the meningitis outbreak which is ravaging some parts of the country . We also know about Ebola resurgence , though not in Nigeria , we , however , know that the whole world is a global village . And that it can spread to any part of the world . A response in terms of outbreak to diseases has been fair , but it can be a lot better .
have not been able to really see the merit of the Buhari administration because they have been assessing it from the economic dimension . People believe that because of this , he has not done anything . But he has actually tried despite his health challenges . In the area of fighting terrorism , he has done very well . I know what the security situation was when he came and what it is now .
For employment creation , there has not been much progress . But maybe that is due to the current economic crunch . Although there is an ongoing agitation for salary increment by civil servants , I know that it is not going to work because the money is not just there .
In the education sector , the level of education has remained abysmal for close to two decades and this administration has also not made progress in that area . But you cannot hold him responsible for that because in the last 10 to 20 years , the education sector has been awful . If you see the instructional facilities we use , you will marvel ; they are very bad .
The fiscal allocation for education is too small , in addition to the fact that corruption is also a problem in the sector . The development crisis in Nigeria is very huge .
So , what I will advise is that Buhari should identify two areas . He can fight corruption to a definitive end and address the issue of worsening power situation . If he can tackle those two , then he will be okay . think President Muhammadu Buhari
I has tried his best even though the masses have not really felt the essence of what he has been doing . Coming from where we had been before his assumption of office as President , it took a long time to get the country into the present situation .
So , you don ’ t expect magic within the two years of his reign for the economy of the country , corruption and security to be resolved . I ’ m pretty sure that we are now on the right track as the case maybe .
The president has his own style of leadership ; those of us in the industry have come to realise that the man actually has a good heart and he really wants to help the country attain greatness .
The whole issue is a process ; we have to be patient with him .
I will rate him highly in the area of security by securing the release of many Chibok girls . He has also empowered the Vice President . Even though the President is ill , the Vice President is doing his best
BUHARI came to power on principally two issues : security and anticorruption . His ratings based on these two are commendable . The North East
• Rommy Mom ( Human rights activist & President , Lawyers Alert )
To be candid , the administration has fared badly . Even in opposition , I try my best to be charitable to this government ; I have been constructive in my criticism . Yes , the government has made some progress in the area of anti-corruption and in agriculture . But beyond this , there is nothing else you can honestly give serious credit to this government .
Without looking outside what the President and his party promised Nigerians before they were elected in 2015 , let ’ s look at what they promised : instead of creating jobs for unemployed youths , jobs have been lost ; companies are folding up . Yes they have decimated Boko Haram in the North-East , what about the kidnappings , daylight robberies and other violent crimes across Nigeria ?
This is largely responsible for the growing suicide rates . Can you say because they have dealt with Boko Haram , our security is now better ? The snail pace of this government has forced many things to remain at a standstill .
• Bayo Adeloye ( Marine Engineer / consultant ) to put to work most of the President ’ s ideas . To me , the President has really tried his best within the last two years .
is better secured , bombings which were rife in Abuja is tamed . Remember the police headquarters , the United Nation ’ s building , motor parks and churches have been attacked by Boko Haram .
The bombing of churches used to be every Sunday . It is much better now . Granted that there is now the added pressure of herdsmen killings ; the belief is that hopefully this will also be addressed .
Corruption undoubtedly , is being addressed and public officials are more careful . The EFCC is much more vibrant .
There have been complaints of selective targets . The point for me is , are the so-called targets innocent ? There is talk of media trials or so . I don ’ t see how EFCC publicising its work or cases amounts to media trial .
It is in order and tells us citizens of efforts made . On other fronts , Buhari can do better and so far below par . Areas like power supply and communication are getting worse . On the whole I score Buhari 60 per cent . Remember it is just two years .
We are still waiting for board members to be appointed for health and other bodies two years after . Is this what we voted for ?
• Chief Chekwas Okorie ( National Chairman , United Peoples Party )
• Compiled by : Success Nwogu , Friday Olokor , Etim Ekpimah and Alexander Okere