WITH its administration goal of running an all-inclusive data-driven socio-economic agenda, the Tinubu administration through the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has debuted with a concept tailored towards reporting issues within the polity that are data-backed The latest, which is called Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS), is a novel concept that seeks to ensure that information rolled out to the public are data-driven, but not on conjectures or mere assumptions.
On Security: The Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) in its first report on its debut has released the below data based on survey conducted across the six (6) geopolitical zones in the country;
South East – 6.2m
South West – 6.9m
South South – 7.7m
North East – 7.9m
North Central – 8.8m
North West – 14.4m
While the South East recorded the lowest incidence in crime experience with 6.2m, the North West was said to have had the largest with 14.4m. However, it is instructive to state without equivocation that the report released by the NBS is a pointer to the several efforts of the current administration in addressing the security challenges ubiquitous in the country.
Unlike what obtained in the preceding year 2023 where crime incidences were pronounced high and at a crescendo, the 2024 report largely revealed the synergy between all relevant security architectures of the country – including military and paramilitary agencies, not forgetting private sector collaborations fostered by the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President.
The Latin word speaks to this undeniable fact – rep ipsa loquitor – facts speak for itself. The country has witnessed a drastic decline in cases of incessant kidnapping in the South, armed banditry, and cattle rustling in the North, especially North West. The activities of the proscribed group from the South East, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its affiliate – the Eastern Security Network, otherwise known as ‘Unknown Gunmen’ have largely reduced, and more importantly, the recent arrest of the Finland-based agent provocateur, Simon Ekpa who had hitherto instigated endless onslaughts on people from the South East. On the Northern flank, Nigerians have seen fewer school attacks in the outgoing year, contrary to what was obtainable in recent years. This, no doubt, further lends credence to the fight against crime by the current administration.
On Inflation: On the other hand, the report about a slight increase in the inflation is plausible relative to the recent natural disaster experienced by some states from the Northern extraction.
The recent flood disaster that ravaged Borno State with a spill over to states like Adamawa, Yobe and Gombe States would no doubt have a devastating impact on agriculture produce given that the nation depends on the North for food production. Understandably, the flood, with its concomitant effect, would naturally shoot up prices of goods.
However, as a government, President Tinubu administration’s prompt response to the sad experience clearly showed leadership that is woven around empathy for the ordinary Nigerians on the streets. The quick intervention from the federal government is commendable. It is noteworthy that the Tinubu administration, more than any government, has responded swiftly on the issue of the food crisis.
The administration has released 2.1 million bags of fertilisers to help farmers across the country. It has also approved the release of N30 billion to Federal Universities of Agriculture to support mechanised farming, among other interventions. This is aside the truck loads of 50kg-size rice sent across to 36 states of the Federation to help combat hunger and reduce inflation.
On Food Crises: Aside Federal Government’s quick intervention through release of truck loads of grains to the sub-nationals, the Tinubu administration in partnership with the World Bank had earmarked a whopping $600million to fix 200,000km of rural roads aimed at facilitating food production and transportation to the various parts of the country. All of these measures are geared towards addressing food insecurity, the result of which is expected to manifest in the coming months.
On Economy: The country has had to grapple recently, with its debt to equity ratio hovering around 97:3. The simple economic conclusion, even to a layman, is that an economy that services its debt with 97% of its revenue is headed for the rocks. It takes only strong courage and guts to stem the tide such that such economy would not be comatose ultimately.
That was what the Tinubu administration has done by reducing the debt to equity ratio 68:32 within a space of one year. That was a huge milestone! Payment of backlog of forex arrears to the tune of N7 billion. Increased foreign reserve to over $ 40 billion is no joke. All of these and other economic policies embarked upon by the administration are geared towards redirecting, reworking the entire governance architecture of the country for a more robust and thriving economy that will benefit all and sundry
- Bwala is Special Adviser, Policy Communications to President Bola Tinubu.