By SKC Ogbonnia
\nJune 2, 2020<\/p>\n
The consensus around the world is that the lessons from the coronavirus
\npandemic (COVID-19) would provoke commonsense among Nigerian leaders to
\nharness the full potential of their local economy, but this dream may
\nnever come close, if President Muhammadu Buhari does not lead by
\nexample.<\/p>\n
A defining theme of my foray into the 2019 presidential race is that
\nNigeria\u2019s problem is not as complex as commonly imagined. For the
\nproblem is neither the lack of natural resources nor human resources. It
\ncertainly has nothing to do with good visions or the enabling policies.
\nThe Nigerian endemic problem is squarely the failure to influence the
\nefficient implementation of the policies towards the greater good.<\/p>\n
It is not surprising, therefore, that amid the COVID-19 pandemic,
\nPresident Buhari demonstrated visionary leadership by declaring that
\nNigeria will henceforth promote and patronize made-in-Nigeria products
\nover foreign goods. Buhari\u2019s vision is laudable and mirrors the case
\nof Asian countries, particularly China and India, which for several
\ndecades banned a good number of foreign products to enable their local
\nindustries to thrive. Today, both Asian nations have become economic
\nenvy of the world.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, not long after the made-in-Nigeria policy went public,
\ninstead of patronizing Innoson Motors, the sole local auto manufacturing
\noutfit, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) hurriedly approved a
\nwhopping sum of N683, 613 million for purchase of 19 Made-In-Japan
\nToyota vehicles for the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).<\/p>\n
According to the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, the justification
\nfor the abrupt breach of the policy is that the need for the foreign
\nvehicles predated the COVID-19 pandemic. As if her logic lacks in folly,
\nthe Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi, followed that the approval
\nbecame necessary, because \u201cit\u2019s the first time in four years that
\nNPA was buying any vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
The simple takeaway from both Ahmed and Amaechi is that Nigerian leaders
\nembrace lunacy as legacy. This goes without saying that the rationale
\nbehind the choice of the foreign vehicles over local brands has nothing
\nto do with the common good. Instead, it has everything to do with the
\nmanic competition for financial profligacy among the different arms of
\nthe Nigerian government.<\/p>\n
The decision by the Executive arm of government is merely to outdo the
\nwastefulness synonymous with the Nigerian Legislature. The NPA squander
\ndittoed the Senate, which not long ago rejected Innoson only to launder
\nover N5 billion for Toyota brands. The House of Representatives would
\nalso double down to sink another N5 billion into Toyota Camry saloon
\ncars in place of moderately priced Innoson jeeps that are specially
\ndesigned and tested for the Nigerian roads.<\/p>\n
This pattern of lavishness by public officials, particularly under the
\nprevailing COVID-19 crisis, is plain cold-blooded. It is impunity going
\ntoo far.<\/p>\n
But President Muhammadu Buhari must own full blame. Though his call to
\npatronize local products is commendable, he is neither able to influence
\nhis appointees to implement the policy nor able to lead by example
\nhimself. Rather than demonstrate patriotism, by proudly using the
\nMade-in-Nigeria goods that he preaches, Buhari appears to be emulating
\nthe ostentatious style of the regime before him.<\/p>\n
Mister Buhari should quickly revert to the tenets of his 2016 \u201cChange
\nBegins With Me\u201d slogan. The core principle demands that he declares
\nInnoson as the official brand for all government agencies, beginning
\nwith the Presidency. If a General Buhari, as a military head of state,
\ncould endear himself to the Nigerian people over 30 years ago, by
\nembracing jagged foreign Peugeot\u2014then assembled in Nigeria\u2014as a
\nbadge of honor, it is only patriotic for him to replicate such gesture
\nfor wholly made-in-Nigeria vehicles.<\/p>\n
It is worth mentioning, however, that the Innoson Motors is on record to
\nhave stated that the company has seen more patronage from the Buhari
\ngovernment than the one before it. That is commendable, at base. But the
\nmediocrity of the previous regime can never be substituted as a gold
\nstandard for success.<\/p>\n
President Buhari is a man widely known as ascetic and who assumed power
\non the mantra of revolutionary change. He should, therefore, embolden
\nhis change vision, as well as the authenticity of his policy on local
\ngoods, so that others can follow. The message, if it is not already
\nexplicit, is that the Nigerian president should, without further delay,
\nreplace his official car, a German-made Mercedes Benz, with a
\nNigerian-made Innoson brand.<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic has combined to plunge Nigeria into an economic
\nmiasma and true change has become inevitable. The leaders can no longer
\nafford to carry on business as usual. In short, besides leading by
\nexample, it has become imperative for President Buhari to remind public
\nofficials that the country risks a serious mass revolt, if they continue
\nto swim in ocean of affluence while submerging the masses deeper and
\ndeeper into abject poverty and despair.<\/p>\n
SKC Ogbonnia, a 2019 APC Presidential Aspirant, writes from Ugbo, Awgu,
\nEnugu State.
\nTwitter: @SKCOgbonnia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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