The president and his cabinet, all the governors and their cabinet dare not hide behind their moats and high walls but should don PPE like Coronavirus doctors and lead from the front.
This is the time for the leadership to remain calm under fire and focus. The Covid curve has begun a steep rise and many will panic, our leaders must not be afraid and if they are, they must never let it show. On the contrary, they must take symbolic steps that show their devotion to the people and a will to see the nation through these really difficult times. Here is a small list of must-dos, my little contribution from my Covid hideout:
One, we have two wars on our hands, a recession and a plague. There is a third, festering but aging war of Boko Haram which is presently gravely stricken. That third war must be quickly concluded to reduce the monster’s heads to only two from three. Advance on Boko Haram while they are still weak from the Chadian blow and cleanse the land of them.
Two, secure the sources of food. We are going to be bleeding FX in the coming months and will not have money to commit to a huge food import. Stimulate local agricultural productivity right now by dropping fertilizer prices by 55% from N5,500 to N2,500. Governors should encourage everyone to out something in the ground this last two weeks of the planting season. Serious preparations should begin on how to take maximum advantage of the next raining season by getting land preparation equipment ready for farmers. Governments should stand ready to provide subsidized land clearing and tillage with a goal of doubling the October/November harvest of major crops especially grains and legumes. A similar programme should be developed for animal protein sources: eggs, poultry, piggery and ruminants.
Three, government income has reduced by about 65% and will not recover until 2021, at the earliest. The crash of oil will mean all other incomes from duties and taxes will dwindle through a domino effect. Government should plan a new work and remuneration regime for workers and design a way for engaging excess workforce productively for the rest of this unusual year. Only the armed forces and the police can be guaranteed full salaries and wages. To make this fair enough and get the buy in of Nigerians, the cuts should begin right at the top, not the other way round.
Four, is there any way we can rapidly deploy distant learning infrastructures to save the educational calendar? We must keep our students engaged. We cannot feed the body and neglect the mind.
Finally, cover the above with a declaration of emergency conditions to trigger further reduction in costs and process steps and to boost efficiency.
