On August 5, 2016 I shouted at the top of my voice as early as 5.49am while in the bathroom just going through News headlines on my phone. I did not know the extent of my action until my neighbor called me to check if everything was ok. I must have disturbed the entire neighborhood in one of the few quiet environments in Surulere Lagos.
I cannot be entirely blamed, it was just the patriotic adrenaline in me that could not be controlled when I read that the CBN had directed that pilgrims should be supplied dollar at N197 while the currency was at $/N310 and $/N390 at the interbank and Aboki, respectively (…keep it in mind that the currency is at $/N475 as of today October 3, 2016). Please who was behind this policy? Was it not recently that we were told that the FGN economic team has been consulting with notable stakeholders and economists? Were they advised to make such a decision? Didn’t they know the implications of the move that was taken to favor the pilgrims?
Today, I am not going to talk on the impact of what someone described as “hypocritical obtuse” because it has now become a rhythm that even a 3-year old can sing on, but rather who are these FGN economic team?
- Minister of Finance – Ms. Kemi Adeosun holds first degree in Economics but spent her entire career practicing as an accountant and holds professional certificates in Accounting.
- Minister of Budget and National Planning – Senator Udo Udo Udoma is an Oxford Alumnus and a renowned lawyer.
- CBN Governor – Mr. Godwin Emefiele is a seasoned banker and a former lecturer that holds B.Sc. and MBA in Finance.
- Vice President – Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who obtained Masters of Law from the prestigious London School of Economics.
- The President. (Yes, I will add him, because everything lands on his table). President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired General who presented his School Leaving Certificate with his picture showing him wearing baba riga and his trademarked cap.
Now I ask, what roles are the Economists playing in the economic planning team? Where is the Okonjo Iweala? Where is the Soludo? Where is the Sanusi Lamido? I just hope they sometimes bring in the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah (CFA), but I bet there is little to the effect that he can bring in a team of Lawyers, Accountant, Banker and School Cert holder.
I know some people will say we have had a Phd holder as president with compromised economists. However, we should ask ourselves was this Phd holder tested and trusted before giving him the mantle, while not even forgetting that Nigeria was one of the fastest growing economy under these guys.
So shouldn’t we raise our voices for the President to hear that he needs a reshuffling on his economic team? Even as I perceive that there is a growing conspiracy of silence within Nigerians because we have put so much faith in the “CHANGE”, I will not stop talking and my voice must be heard.
But Like I always conclude. I leave us to our conscience.
– Adeyemi S.
