The Real Meaning Of Change APC Promised Nigerians

The Real Meaning of Change APC Promised Nigerians
The word CHANGE means so many things to so many people. According to

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, change means to make or become

different. It means to make somebody or something different, to pass from

one state to another. Change means to replace one thing, person, service

etc with something new or different. Change means to exchange position or

places with someone else. Change means changing into something, to put on

different clothes or clean clothes. You can change money, goods, bed etc.

Money can change hands. You can change plane, bus or train. You can go

from one bus or train to another just to continue your journey. I can go

on and on.
Before the 2015 general elections, APC promised Nigerians a change from

the old order to the new order. It was a promise to do things differently,

a promise to move away from being a consumer of anything in sight produced

abroad to producer a nation, a promise to put structures in place to make

corruption look unattractive, a promise to enforce attitudinal change, a

promise to change Nigeria's cause of history, a promise to make Nigeria to

move away from a generator driven economy to stable power supply, a

promise to look inwards, a promise to look at state of our infrastructure

and do something tangible about it if Nigeria must be a destination, a

promise to create jobs, a promise to feed ourselves and export food, a

promise to provide security for lives and property etc.

Throughout history I have always known that change is not an event but a

process. It takes time to effect a serious change in a country like

Nigeria, driven by greed and avaricious tendencies of few people in

position of authority. As I write this, I hear that Nigeria economy is now

officially in recession. For me it is not unexpected given what APC

government inherited from PDP after 16years, the glut in the oil industry

and the activities of militants in the Niger Delta region. One is not

giving excuses here because real leaders do not bemoan problems, they

address problems frontally. A school of thought tells me that “A dream

does not become reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and

hardwork”
I am seeing the change when those who stole billions in both local and

foreign currencies are returning the loot with frightening speed. I am

seeing change when I see 400billion naira being invested in infrastructure

this year when only 17 billion naira was slated for the same project in

2015 by the PDP. I see change when eleven States are investing heavily in

Rice production to reduce the huge foreign exchange expended in the

massive importation of rice. I can see the real change as Nigeria is

gradually moving away from dependence in petro-dollars to diversifying the

economy to have multiple streams of income. I am seeing the real change in

the power sector as government is no longer tied to the gas-driven power

plants and gas supplies from the Niger Delta region. Government has been

compelled to look beyond gas-driven plants to solar stations, thermal

stations, nuclear power stations, wind power, hydro-power, coal-powered

stations etc from other parts of Nigeria. We are gradually moving away

from dependence of Niger Delta oil and gas to other sources of Revenue. I

have seen Nigerians adjusting to a better life style that will help

Nigeria to grow. Nigerians no longer flood the streets of our cities with

cars for pleasure. Nigerians no longer travel to London, America, Dubai

and other countries to stage parties and play with their friends.

Multi-billionaires of yesterday are now bankrupt just 16 months after

their PDP lost power, which proves to you automatically that their wealth

is artificial and fraudulent. The Federal, States, and LGAs are now

adjusting to the new reality in Nigeria that proves to even the deaf and

the dumb that it is not business as usual. Those who have kids studying

abroad know the pains they are going through including this writer. What

is happening to parents will force all of us to support this government to

begin the process of rebuilding our institutions. This is the real change

APC promised.
For the first time in the history of Nigeria, I have seen Nigerians

drinking less imported South African, Spanish, American and Asian spirits

and wines. I have seen Nigerians consuming less South African Apples and

grapes that cost this country billion of dollars every year to import. In

fact I hear that Nigeria has joined the club of the biggest wine consuming

nation's in the world. Now Nigerians are thinking. Thanks for APC Change

mantra and the condition that forced us to adjust.
Today the emphasis is on agriculture and other mineral resources. I have

also seen monumental changes in the area of security of lives and

property. We may not be there yet but I see hope. The Boko Haram, the

Niger Delta terrorists and pockets of other trouble makers are seeing the

handwriting on the wall. They now know that when superior force meets a

local force, the local power bows to superior power.

Nigeria is getting better and this I know even though it is coming in the

midst of pains and tears. Through dint of hardwork and commitment this

country will rise again. What President Buhari needs is support and

encouragement.
Joe Igbokwe
Lagos
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