Open Letter To Tonye Princewill On Vision 2020
By Ikenga Igbo
Many times, Nigeria oozes out the ugliest of stories in the planet of mankind. The world recognized her potentials but she always pummels such potentials to the soil, especially her economy is hitting the rocks day by day given her biggest economy in the West African sub region, yet her citizens suffer in the midst of plenty. Should there be no potential for strong growth in the Nigerian economy given Nigeria's sizeable resource bequest and coalition scene? There have never been previous efforts at planning and visioning that Nigeria has sustained, from when she got her independence. Has the history of economic motionless, declining happiness and social gathering not undermined development in Nigeria for years? Today, Nigeria has a focus called vision 2020 which you were appointed leader and other illustrious sons of Nigeria were appointed member of the Federal Government Vision 2020 Committee, yet many people think will bring succour to the many hapless Nigerians while others have tagged it a sham.
Whichever way, all that Nigeria needs to move ahead is unionism and integration to experience a greater growth conditions to justify its ranking in the world as one of the most corrupt countries. Amongst the countries mentioned by Goldman Sachs to have the potential for attaining global competitiveness based on their economic and demographic settings and the foundation for reforms already laid, Nigeria stands a better chance to realize any set objects among the 11 countries of the world that were given the mandate to eradicate poverty in their polity by 2020.
The previous administration declared the enthusiasm to chase the vision of placing Nigeria among the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020 yet Nigerians did not see anything, and the current administration is committed to the attainment of this vision. But how reliable could this VISION be?
According to an observer: "A vision is a clear mental picture of the future, which must represent a significant improvement on the current state. (Do you agree with that?) It however must be supported by a clear and realistic path to its realization and requires consistent and sustained effort for its achievement."
Sir, do you have the picture that by 2020 Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena?" If you are of assurance that this picture would be achieved than the saying that 18th April, 2009 will go down in the history of the Rivers State wing of the Action Congress party as a Red letter day, when you were appointed alongside other illustrious Nigerians, member of the Federal Government Vision 2020 Committee, whereyou were subsequently elected unopposed Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Niger Delta. I also got the note that the membership of this most distinguished committee includes, but isn't limited to people like Chief A. K Horsfall, Father Hassan Kuka, Senator Lekan Balogun, Alhaji Tijani Ramalan, Dr. S.M.O Amachree and Ms. Wilma Aguele who will serve as the secretary.
I hope you believe the statement credited to your Media Chief, Chief eze C. eze that, the Vision 2020 as we know is aimed at making Nigeria one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020. The constitution of this committee therefore is in keeping with the promise made by President Musa Yar'Adua early this year at the inauguration of the National Council and the National Steering Committee on Vision 2020, where he stated that a National Technical Committee and stakeholders' visioning groups will be constituted in due course to service the council and steering committee respectively.
As you save-up this great feat, Nigerians thanked the Federal Government for recognizing and appreciating the sterling qualities in you, as great reservoir of knowledge that will be put to judicious use in the clamour for change in the fortunes of the Niger Delta Region.
They acknowledged in addition, the contributions of the Press in their tireless effort in showcasing the activities and milestones of you have made. Their gratitude also went out to the people of Rivers State whose support against all odds, continue to nudge you to move ahead.
So, I presumed you reassured the people that as a tireless Prince Tonye Princewill, you will in the course of this assignment establish yourself as a tool in the clamour for the emancipation of Niger Delta and Nigerian people from the shackles of poverty, slavery and terror the legacies of past administrations on the region unleashed on Nigeria as a whole?
Most recently, you were a member of the Niger Delta Technical Committee and currently you serve as the youngest member of the Rivers State Economic Advisory Council. Nigerians look up to you to seeing and experiencing a "growth turnaround and conditions seem right for launching onto a path of sustained and rapid growth, justifying its ranking amongst the N11 countries. These are the countries identified by Goldman Sachs to have the potential for attaining global competitiveness based on their economic and demographic settings and the foundation for reforms already laid." Nigerians look to seeing that "By 2020, Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena." These are works before you. Kudos.
Ikenga Igbo writes from Orumba, Anambra State.