Politics
By Kennedy Nnamani
LEADING Civil Society Organisations and international experts have presented possible future events in Nigeria up till 2060.
This was made known during a virtual press conference organised by over 40 leading Nigerian and International experts to present the project titled: “Which Way Nigeria – Citizen Scenarios to 2060 – CS60”, a blueprint for concerned Nigerians to join the conversation and work towards a better future.
The group projected that the population of Nigeria is expected to hit 400 million by 2050, which poses further threat on the country.
However, to help address the challenges, the groups created Which Way Nigeria – Citizen Scenarios to 2060 – CS60 a map which focuses on possible future events in the country cutting across security, energy, migration, agriculture, industrialization, urban and regional development, education, health, migration and political participation.
The group revealed four scenarios provided by the CS60 to include Land of Hustle, Green Land, Land of Lost Hope and Bloodland.
According to the groups, Nigeria is facing a number of existential challenges, including unprecedented security threats, declining oil revenue, separatist agitations, large scale youth unemployment, growing crime rates among others.
Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, the executive Director at Spaces for Change, who was also one of the panelists, while speaking on the Land of Hustle, underlined the constant growth of the nation is not benefiting the entire population, which has continuously favoured inequality.
According to her, there will be a lot of economic activities in the country, but there will also be unemployment as a result of the fast growing population.
She therefore called on citizens to make the right choice during the 2023 and 2027 general elections, noting that if the country gets it right in 2023, it will bring about positive changes and 2027 will solidify the scenarios, which have been highlighted.
“Effective Citizens engagement is central to creating the future we want in Nigeria. It starts by people turning out massively to vote and not selling their votes in the forthcoming presidential elections,” she said.
Therefore the initiative explored the critical uncertainties, key drivers and potential outcomes, relating to the country’s future, provided a glimpse into some disturbing, but very real probabilities for Nigeria’s future.
In the same vein, Richard Dion, Senior Advisor at CONNEX Support Unit and co-initiator of CS60, while speaking on the Green Land, applauded Nigeria for successfully introducing a regional and global economic model that promotes inclusive growth, circular economy, sustainable development, innovation and economic leadership.
Dion also underscored the importance of the 2023 elections, noting that credible elections are critical both in 2023 and 2027 for the green land scenario.
He therefore called on Nigerians to elect leaders with positive track records, long term vision, who inspires the citizens and who has the masses at heart and not selfish.
Oluseun Onigbinde, an entrepreneur and Director, BudgIT Foundation, who was also a panelist, cautioned that if citizens allow regional identity to decide the outcome of the next election then the country would continue to face the same problems.
He therefore called for leaders with character, political capital to implement reforms, a leader who projects and pursues long term ambitions.
“All the scenarios suggest that the quality and integrity of the 2023 elections will go a long way in laying the foundation for the future of Nigeria. Therefore it is vital that Nigerians elect a leader that has impeccable character, not corrupt, can take hard decisions and has the diplomatic skill to unite the country behind a bold vision,” he said.
According to the statement made available by the group, the CS60 is the first scenario in Africa and arguably the clearest picture yet of the ways in which our future may unfold when it reaches 100 years of independence in 2060.”
Meanwhile, the project, according to the statement, provided Nigerians a rare opportunity to create the future that they want, not what officials and barons dictate.
It further noted that the scenarios which are the first chapter in this initiative are also geared to spark the entire country to strive to create the country that is a global player, not the “hobbling giant of Africa.”
The statement further disclosed that following the initiative would be loose roadmaps, which CSOs create to serve as the basis for what needs to be done on the way to 2060 so as to achieve a just, resilient and sustainable Nigeria.
The group therefore called on citizens’ engagement, noting that the election of a more accountable government will guarantee a better future for more achievable.
KN
Tags: CS60 Kennedy Nnamani Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri Which Way Nigeria
