The UmuadaNdi-Igbo in Diaspora, an umbrella organization of Igbo women, abroad, has handed out 11-poin agenda to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) even as the African Bar Association (ABA) identified eight critical areas that the new government must address when he takes the rein of power in Nigeria
In a congratulatory message signed by its Founder/National President, Grace Agude, the group advised the President-Elect to compose a cabinet of skilled, experienced and trusted men and women for a better Nigeria.
She said that the new government should take urgent steps to encourage women participation in government and national development, since women are mothers of the nation even as she made a case for re-organization and better funding of the Nigerian army so as to bring back the lost pride and glory of the country’s military that was once the pride of Africa.
She further called on the incoming Buhari government to take steps to wipe out Boko Haram insurgents currently terrorizing Nigeria, adding that it must also take all necessary steps to bring back our kidnapped Chibok girls.
The UmuadaNdi-Igbo leader said that there is an urgent need to stamp out 419 and other forms of fraud in Nigeria, for Nigeria to attract both local and foreign investors.
The group is also pushing for improved funding for Nigerian universities, teaching hospitals, and other institutions, so as to encourage research and development.
“We want the incoming government to make plans to diversify the Nigerian economy. This way the Nigerian economy will not continue to rely heavily on oil like is currently the case.”
For the country to be one, she said that there is urgent need to unite the six geopolitical zones of the country so as to reduce tension among different ethnic groups.
She further urged the incoming government to encourage foreign investment which will go a long way in creating employment and growing the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
She gave assurance that UmuadaNdi-Igbo in Diaspora will give their unalloyed support for the new government to work, adding: “the People of Nigeria have spoken very loud and clear. We needed a change, and you are that change. Thank God, that much anticipated political change has come in the most peaceful manner ever imagined in our beloved country that has a long history of post-election violence. This victory was definitely not a smooth ride.
“However, you met the challenge with determination, strength, and total confidence. The people of Nigeria saw how determined you have been to provide solutions to the most troubling problems facing our great country widespread corruption, insecurity, poverty; deteriorating standards of education, healthcare delivery and non-existent utilities.
“It has simply been very difficult for Nigerians and the world at large to understand why there has been so much poverty and chaos in a country well blessed with abundance of natural and human resources.
“The proud and hard-working people of Nigeria have, through the ballot box, identified you as the man who can be trusted with bringing that much needed change to Nigeria , Africa’s last hope.
“There is no doubt that the task ahead is a huge one. However, with good focus, determination, hard work, dedication to office, and above all, with God’s guidance and blessings, it can be done. Yes, it can be done.”
And in a statement by its President, Hannibal Uwaifo , the ABA pledged its support for the incoming government “in the bid to deepen democratic values and ensure improved economic fortune for the citizenry.”
Top on the list of the issues, according to ABA is official corruption, which the association advised Buhari to decisively deal with by “setting up a code of conduct of government affairs and handling of public funds for public officials.”
The body also urged Buhari to review salaries of public officials “to reflect the poor purse of Nigeria and to make more finances available for social services.” The statement read in part: “Deliberately welfare policy must be put in place as a priority to cater for the vulnerable and less endowed in Nigeria. Unemployment of our youths must be tackled decisively.
”The rule of law must be strictly adhered to and extrajudicial activities of the security agencies must be checked and severely punished.
”True independence of the judiciary must be ensured and wrongdoings promptly and satisfactorily investigated and punished.
”Government and social services must be improved to deliberately bridge the gap between the zeal and determined quest to conduct a credible election exhibited by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and his team is very commendable and exemplary.
”Free enterprise must be encouraged though deliberate government policies and programmes, especially agricultural technology and small and medium scale business.” [myad]
