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Thoughts on a New Nigeria.

I woke up to a cold and breezy morning, a wave of fresh air greeted the Nigerian airways as news of Change dominated the conversations. As I drove out I could feel it in the general mood in the streets which used to feel so tensed. It is peace. I mean a genuine sense of accord with the national direction, more than I have ever felt in the last five years. I have never been this optimistic and proud of our Nigeria! Understanding has finally come through in our time. When the news broke that President Jonathan called the president elect, I thought that it was a turning point in the history of our democracy. One of those phone calls you can make a movie about. Huge step for our politics. It shows that we have woken from our slumber as citizens. I can only pray that we have what it takes to stay awake as we embark on this journey toward redemption. Leaders come and go but the state is a permanent entity whose sovereignty belongs to the people. It is high time we as Nigerians exert our power as people in order to enshrine this new found Voice of ours in the management of our affairs. I have a few expectations from this new government. I have always had faith in the integrity of the man, General Buhari. I hope that his resolve remains strong as it has been since 2003. 
At a time when we need all the wisdom and doggedness that we can gather, it is important that the General assembles a team of people who are prepared to stand up to the great challenge of steering this country out of troubled waters. His appointments are going to be crucial as will his relationship with the new legislature because efficiency will be key for this administration. I say this at the risk of striking a few nerves but I expect serious attention to be paid to our criminal justice system. The office of the attorney general has to be busy closing cases and helping to plug the drains of public funds. We need to see empirical evidence to show that these gaps are plugged and the monies are deposited in the right channels. The success of this government will be largely based on how much wastage they are able to plug in the first two years of the administration. The system which we have chosen to operate has to be made to work for us. I would expect that the Vice President elect, Yemi Osibanjo being a seasoned lawyer will always be on hand to ensure that the president and others around him, exercise their statutory powers in order to ensure like I said earlier, an efficient government. This is not time for business as usual, our civil service needs reform. I think nothing stops this new administration from employing a competent, independent auditor to run a full audit on the civil service. This I believe will help the administration to save money for the country, moving forward.  The Goodluck led administration made some good policies which will pay off in the long term. I pray this new government is wise enough to ensure the sustenance of those good policies which will contribute to the growth of our economy. 
The elections have come and gone, the fuss is over and now it is time for the president elect to get to work. The campaign is over. All the propaganda should stop now. The APC should celebrate their victory for a short while and quickly focus on how they can contribute positively to the new government. Those who consider themselves the more "personal" friends of the General should respect the mandate of the people and allow the Him to work for the country. The last administration was  plagued with a lot of characters, some of whom were loose canons who often exposed the president to criticism as a result of their misconduct. The president elect and those he chooses to keep around him, have to ensure the sanctity of the presidency.
 The task before this new government and indeed the entire country, is an enormous one. We will require every persevering bone within us in order to triumph. This is the perfect time for the young Nigerian to embrace our nationhood and contribute our quota to the realization of the New Nigeria by remaining vigilant and attentive to national issues.
 Long live the Federal republic of Nigeria! 

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