Admin|13 January 2016|7:30am
Cross River born Professor of Philosophy, Osam Edim Temples, and a former aide to the erstwhile Governor of Cross River State, Governor Liyel Imoke, has made some incisive speculations about the year 2016. Considering the fact that his philosophising about days, weeks, months and quarters of the year under review touch on very salient aspects of society, our political desk thought it wise to reproduce his surmising here unedited. What follows are his speculations verbatim:
2016: A Message to the Nigerian Youths.
By Professor Osam Edim
After all the celebrations, now is the time to face the truth about 2016. It's going to be tougher than 2015.
Economy
The Nigerian economy is right now in tatters. The slide began with falling oil prices and made worse by the now exposed evil and monumental corruption of the Jonathan administration.
The truth about 2016 is that there will be massive retrenchment of workers. People are going to lose their jobs. The Naira will further slide. N1000 will be almost useless in the market. Our students abroad will have a hard time. Many businesses will fold up. The cost of food and transport will be higher. And there will be fewer job opportunities.
Politics
There will be strikes and social tension. Please prepare for 2016. But it is not going to be totally hopeless. There is a
new government in the country. A lot depends on the steps the economic team will take.
Entrepreneurship
I foresee a lot of opportunities opening up in the agricultural sector. I also see the rise of new entrepreneurs. It will be a season for creativity. Young men and
women should not wait for government jobs.
There are no such jobs. Be creative. Be smart. Be alert. Learn a new skill. Learn to use your hands. The Nigeria of 2016 will need people with skills. I know
you have degrees in biology, sociology, history or philosophy. Please channel your knowledge to practical use.
The Nigeria of 2016 will demand
practical skills from you. Be wise now and plan to improve yourself. I cry for my country because even you the youths cannot connect your suffering to the activities of people in government.
Graft
Dasuki scandal is a crime against humanity and should be treated as such.
When people were sharing billions of dollars, it was your future they were sharing. Your brothers and sisters were sent to face Boko Haram without
weapons. Over 200 young girls from Chibok are still in the hands of animals in the forest. Can you imagine if one of them were your sister or daughter?
The crimes against Nigeria by
successive governments – IBB, Abacha, Jonathan – are humongous, yet we cannot see because the perpetrators are Hausas, Ijaws, Yorubas, Muslim or
Christian. We support criminals because we speak the same language or worship together.
Religion
Well, here is 2016. For those with inner eyes, it is a time of penitence. This is a time to ask God for forgiveness. With prayers, dangers can be averted. We must pray fervently for Nigeria. 2016 is pregnant and will deliver on the 9th month. Those who have ears will hear.
God bless Nigeria. God bless Africa.
Osam Edim
Is a Professor of Philosophy at the prestigious American University of Nigeria
