As year 2019 kicks off in earnest, Nigerians
are optimistic that there will be some
positive changes in all sectors of the
economy in order for businesses and
investments to thrive. In their submission,
some Nigerians especially women, noted
that they are expecting the government to
address some of the issues begging for
attention.
Ebun Anozie, Lucy Ajayi, Dr Dolapo
Ogunbawo and Dr. Ola Brown
Issues emanating from different sectors of
the country including health, entertainment,
business, maritime, legal, among others, as
learnt by Woman’s Own, must be
addressed if the country must move
forward.
As expected, year 2019 is significant
because of the forthcoming general
elections and Nigerians are expected to
choose genuine leaders to lead them to
prosperity. The electorate would decide on
who has the best vision for the country
going forward.
Education
Speaking on the expectation in the
education sector, Dr Dolapo Ogunbawo, an
educationist with over 40 years experience
said, the government should consider
education a priority.
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According to her: “Education is the
benchmark of any nation. Even our
economic achievement is dependent on
how good our education system is.
Government must see the importance of
education, they must value and put money
into it. What is being given as budget for
our education is too insignificant.
“I expect government to be ready to
commit more money to education. We have
the manpower outside. Majority of those
making waves abroad are Nigerians.
However, we have to start small as we do
not have to throw away our present crop of
teachers, but to refine them.
“When we address the issue of education
as important and government commits
money into it, the eduaction sector would
be revamped, especially in our universities
and colleges of education, and if we put
the right people in the right places, they
will start producing good products. But
even those good products still need
retraining.
“Think about development in the last five
years, it is so rapid. So the retraining of
teachers has to continue.
“Again, education is important. It is vital to
our country’s development. We cannot turn
our faces away from education. Every
Nigerian needs to be concerned about the
standard of education. Our solution will not
come from Japan, Singapore or Germany, it
will come from us. It has to be homegrown
to be sustainable,†she said.
Business
On business, Director -General, Lagos Trade
Fair International, Mrs. Lucy Omasefe Ajayi,
said: “The expectation for the year 2019
especially for the agency is to fix the 5Km
road leading into the Trade Fair Complex,
bring the annual Lagos International Trade
Fair back to the complex and concession
part of the Trade Fair Complex,†she noted.
On how this would impact the country, she
said:â€It will go a long way to boost
commerce and trade since the government
is diversifying into trade and not relying
solely on oil and gas. Of course that will
translate into more revenue for the
government for a better Nigeria.
Aviation
Dr Ola Brown, Executive Director, Flying
Doctors, said: “I am excited about 2019
because I know that whichever party wins,
there are leaders on all sides that feel
strongly that the time for healthcare reform
across West Africa is now, and Nigeria
should lead these reforms. For every $1
investment made in health care, the
economy receives $2 as return. A better
economic and social investment would be
hard to find,†she concluded.
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Health
For Mrs. Ebunoluwa Anozie: Cancer Care
Specialist, the expecation from government
is to have peaceful and credible election.
“My expectations in 2019 are peaceful and
credible elections while being hopeful that
whoever emerges president already has
plans to move the country forward in the
midst of recession. My prayer is to see
huge improvement in both health and
education sectors. I am expecting our
leaders to lead us with utmost integrity
devoid of corruption. We need to get back
our lost glory.
Politics
Looking at the political circle, Mrs. Victoria
Soji, said: “I expect peaceful, free and fair
elections. I would not know if there would
be a change in style of government and if
there is none, I expect a tightening of the
belt in terms of the economy. I expect an
increase in the scale of infrastructure
development because that is the only way
the government can open up the economy
and attract local and foreign investments.
Entertainment
A gospel artiste, Ada Ehi said: “My
expectations for myself is always to be
more and impact much more, having much
more is undeniable, impact always preludes
that. For Nigeria, I pray and hope that the
people will experience true and lasting
change, and we can be hopeful again to
dream and to have the necessary platforms
to pursue our dreams without needing to
put our integrity and conscience on the line
each time.
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Legal
Mrs. Fatimah Wunuola, in her response,
stated: “The legal institution in Nigeria
would be busy this year as so many
election tribunals would be begging for
attention. Many politicians would patronise
lawyers this year due to the outcome of
the elections.
