As 2021 dawned last Friday, it brought mixed feelings to Nigerians. For those who suffered one loss or the other in the past year, it was an opportunity to heave a sigh of relief.
And for those that managed to to escape all the adversities of 2020, without losing their lives, loved ones or property, it is a feeling of joy and great expectation.
For many people across the world, they would have loved the year 2020 to have ended between April and June, when coronavirus pandemic outbreak peaked and killed humans in their thousands on a daily basis, especially in Europe and United States of America.
Aside the pandemic, there were challenges in Nigeria, especially of insecurity, killings and #EndSARS protests, which combined to make 2020 truly unprecedented in the history of the country.
Today, people of the world are sighing in relief as they welcome a new year full of hope. Many did some unique, yet funny things, to welcome the new year and to show how happy they were to see the end of the unprecedented 2020.
But there is still danger lurking in the corner, especially with the second wave of the pandemic now ravaging the world, fiercer than the first outbreak. The recurrence of the pandemic worries the world and is the reason for the uncertainties that seem to raise the apprehension level in many countries.
Herbert Egbigwe, an economist and stockbroker, welcomes 2021 with joy. But unlike the previous years, he is not expecting much because of the uncertainties that are obvious with the negative turn of global events since the second quarter of 2020.
“We are in recession, the second wave of the pandemic is on, there is likely going to be second lockdown in response to the pandemic and hope for quick recovery of the economy may be dashed. So, 2021 is here, but the impact of 2020 is still felt by all”, the economist says.
For a country battling recession, amid hyper inflation, 27 percent unemployment rate, 25 percent bank interest rate, hike in taxes, suffocating foreign exchange, social unrest, among others, Egbigwe insists that 2021 is a year of uncertainties for Nigeria.
He fears that the pandemic may still hold the world at ransom this year, and could worsen the already bad conditions people are experiencing.
Jide Olagunsoye, a senior official of the Lagos State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, also welcomes 2021 with gladness.
“My brother, anybody who crosses over from 2020 to 2021 should thank God because it is not by his or her power, considering the many challenges of last year. From coronavirus, ASUU strike, tanker fire, banditry, kidnappings, to EndSARS protests, Nigeria was a hell in 2020, but we survived”, Olagunsoye enthuses.
Though, he sings a victor’s song, Olagunsoye fears what lies ahead in 2021. “I am happy but with caution because 2021 is starting with leftovers from last year. I had wished the pandemic would have ended in 2020, but it is even resurfacing with deadlier strains now”, he laments.
In the same vein, Kike Braimoh, CEO, Kibra Tours, hopes for the best in 2021, and wishes that everything that brought sorrow to people last year should not resurface this year.
“For the first time in my 40 years, I blasted fireworks on December 31st night just to show how appreciative I am to end the bad year and to start a fresh one. 2020 was unprecedented and I don’t wish to experience such a year again in my lifetime”, the tour operator said.
But the feel-good-experience seems short-lived as Braimoh wakes up to the reality that her tour business is going to collapse if government enforces second lockdown to curtail the spread of the still ravaging pandemic.
“Last year was a minus in tour, travel agency and tourism business because people were held back with travel ban and lockdown. We don’t wish to witness that sad experience this year because we will close shop if it happens again. But I see hope and remedies this year”, she says, expressing her optimism for hope.
With the vaccines, Michael Onyenyiri, a lawyer and business executive, sees light at the end of the tunnel.
“Now that Americans have released the vaccines for the pandemic, I see many countries getting them and even more pharmaceutical companies producing more to boost global supplies. We will definitely beat coronavirus this year; its time has expired and the world is standing firmer against it now”, the lawyer says.
According to him, the world is tired of all the lies, theories and politics of the pandemic because people have died enough, economies have collapsed enough and the world needs to move on this year.
“We have been held down for too long. 2021 is a year to surmount our challenges and move on”, he enthuses.
Dike Mmesirionye, a senior surgeon at University of Nsukka Teaching Hospital, Enugu, expressed hope for 2021, but thinks that the first quarter may not be smooth because of the challenges and uncertainties associated with battling the pandemic and recovering the economy from recession.
“Though the world sees hope in 2021 with the release of the vaccines, the impact of the pandemic will linger in the first quarter of this year because it will take time to get the vaccines and to administer them. So, we all need to observe the highest level of safety in 2021 until the cure is readily available to all”, the doctor advises.
He further says that the recovery of the Nigerian economy in 2021 will depend largely on successful efforts at curtailing the pandemic because an ailing economy needs activities to boost the GDP, and not lockdown.
Ibe Ucheagwu, managing director, Silicon Deliveries, suppliers of bulk goods to major shopping outlets, fears business uncertainty this year. He notes that his company is halting recruitment and warehouse expansion for now because some super shops are planning to close some outlets if government enforces second lockdown this January.
“So, what hope do we see when things are going to pass through fiercer fire and businesses that are already bleeding may not survive this time. If we can put a final stop to the pandemic, that is all I wish the world to do in 2021, so that business can rebound and live moves on once again with less caution”, Ucheagwu says.
Other employers are also jittery of what 2021 holds. Having sacked in 2020 in order to stay afloat and in response to the impact of the pandemic, most employers cannot afford to sack in 2021 as key staff are the only ones remaining.
“We pray that the pandemic is curtailed because any action taken by government now to stop the current spread of the second wave may leave us closing shop for the rest of the year because we are yet to recover from the 2020 lockdown and protests”, says Adeola Bada, a beverage factory owner.
Moreover, the uncertainties are reflected in the new year resolutions of many, who for the first time could not visit worship places because of the restrictions placed by government to curtail the spread of the second wave of the virus.
Instead of the usual prayer points and wish list of prosperity, plum jobs and appointments, exotic cars, luxury houses, among others, many are seeking safety and good health this year. Sadly, they prayed in their homes.
“You cannot be praying for visa when your dream country is on lockdown. For now, health and safety are paramount. So, I wish myself a safer and healthier year. But I have to be disciplined and obey laws in order to do so”, Anselm Abudu, a telecom engineer says.
Though 2021 has begun, it is already making history as the year where people’s resolutions are centered more on safety and less on material things.
Many Nigerians have also tasked the President Muhammadu Buhar administration to approach governance with more seriousness this year by righting its many wrongs.
Those who spoke with our correspondents cited poor handling of the economy which, which they observed had seen the country enter second recession in five years, spate of insecurity and killings and its poor handling of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
Adeola Adeoye, analyst and politician berated President Buhari for frequently, allegedly displaying a nonchalant attitude towards Nigerians’ complaints, constructive criticisms against the President’s glaring nepotism and marginalisation of other sections of the country in appointments.
“It is very sad and unfortunate that the President always showed I-don’t-care attitude about the complaints and agitation of the Nigerian people. For instance, his appointments have always been skewed to a particular ethnic group in this country, looking at the distribution of Commissioners of Police he appointed recently, which led people like Rev Matthew Kukah to speak up against his nepotic appointment.
“We can only hope that God touches the President’s heart so that his goal this year will be how to rally Nigerians together, and proffer solutions to the various problems he swore by oath to solve, including security in every part of the country,” Adeoye said.
Speaking further Adeoye, said the administration should work hard to right the wrongs by focusing on tackling the spate of insecurity, by providing jobs and friendly environment for businesses to thrive.
According to him, “Unemployment also contributed to various security concerns we are experiencing, and the best way to tackle this is to provide jobs for young Nigerians. Also, there must be a friendly business environment to encourage entrepreneurs, and the business community in the New Year. When the economy is tackled, the problems will be half solved.
“Expectations include that the President changes his pattern of leadership, and stops harassing opposition voices. Like I have always said, if the government is doing well, nobody will have the time to be criticising him. In the new year, the President should start on a very good note, and stop his media aides from attacking those speaking truth to power”.
Eddy Olafeso SouthWest chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), urged the Buhari administration to prioritise the wellbeing of Nigerians in the New Year, while tackling insecurity and fixing infrastructure across the country.
“For me, I expect, the social wellbeing of Nigerians should be the focus of this administration in 2021; I have said it from day one, but it appears this government is not a listening one and you can see why they are failing.
“Insecurity and infrastructure should also be given attention. No one is safe, you cannot take your children out of your home, it is a big problem in our hands”.
Analyst Linda Ambode, said though the administration had made significant gains in the agricultural sector in the last few years much could still be done if the administration was proactive and monitor policy implementation in the sector.
Ambode further urged the Buhari led administration to give more attention and funds to the education sector, while he should do more in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
According to her, “Buhari should do more in the New Year; right now you can see that the administration has failed in fulfilling its promises to Nigerians. It is like 419 thing now, I expect them to be more proactive in fighting insurgency and banditry across the country. Right now you can’t travel across our roads to anywhere.
“Education should be given priority. Imagine ASSU was on strike for Nine months, he has made gains in the agricultural sector but it goes beyond setting policies and not monitoring their implementation.
“He should do more in the Covid-19 fight; they should not make the pandemic fight a lipstick thing. Look at the way our health workers are dying”.
