REMEMBER VISION 2020, MIRAGE OR NOT?

In less than 24 hours, we would be crossing over into the year. In line with normal practices around here, shouts of joy would rent the air, crossover services in different churches, all sorts of animals would be slaughtered in the celebration of the new year. As a little boy, I remember how we would dance in circles in front of my father's house burning 'disco' as we knew it as then. The first days of the new year is something we all looked forward to. If you are conversant with the writings on this blog, you would know I write about politics most of the time. well, this is no exception. Although many have advised me to soft pedal on this a little. I will still not listen at least until things improve. I have been told on one occasion, Ayomaria 'Nigerians are not serious people' They really do not care about all these. But what choice do I have? If this is the only way I can get my thoughts out there, then so be it. Back to the main issue, I could remember hearing and seeing all sorts of Jingles, Adverts, Proposals, Public enlightenment campaigns, Town hall meetings and government commitments all based on the vision 2020. The campaign, is one of the biggest statements made in recent times; as it was based on the premise of Nigeria becoming one of the biggest economies in the world by 2020.

Whatever happened to this much publicized commitment, the punch dailies wrote. Well 2020  is only a few hours away, and it seems really glaring how much this vision is still in line. Maybe you need to hear it first from this platform how Nigeria is one of the top 20 economies in the world already.  Back then, 2020 seemed like it was galaxies away and any gigantic claim made as at then was so achievable; or so I thought then. This is one statement that has gained public traction for the past 10 years. Although it seems to have quietened down in recent times. Nigeria is not the only nation that have made bold statements concerning its development, or one concerning laid out templates for the nation's progress. China, Japan, and Russia after bleak points in their nation's history have made statements that have redefined the focus of major stakeholders and aimed it at the country's development. But why was this different in Nigeria's case.  Now if we are going to talk about how scanty this endeavor was, imagine the billions of naira spent in setting up economic councils, implementation committees, technical groups, etc.

Public affairs analyst, and social commentators have always talked about the futility of this commitment. Was it worth it? the vision 2020 program was that which was linked to the NEEDS ( National economic and empowerment development strategy program); Remember the seven point agenda of the Yar'adua Administration, this was also related to it. In all its entirety, this program was aimed at developing Nigeria to become one of the biggest 20 economies in the world by 2020. But taking a cursory look at how we are as a nation; are we there yet? As it is the norm with most government commitments or policies around here, what is the progress report concerning vision 2020, now that we are only few hours from it. Some of the key parameters of the vision included quality education, a vibrant manufacturing sector that contributes nothing less than 40% to the country's GDP, an health sector which is capable of sustaining a life expectancy of 70 years, A vital agricultural sector capable of contributing in no small measure to the foreign  exchange earnings of the country.

A mirage is a phenomenon that tends to disappear as you peer down at it. It holds no substance as you move closer to it. This exactly describes the futility of the vision 2020 charade; at least that is what I can call it. The main aim of this program was to make Nigeria an authority figure in the world's economic and political circle. One cannot fully estimate the amount of money that have been spent on expenditure concerning vision 2020. But it would certainly amount to billions of Naira; and to what end? As it stands, Nigeria is currently ranked as the 27th largest economy on a global scale, and according to projections, it is safe to assume that Nigeria can only attain this level of growth 20 years from now. As we grow into the new year, vision 2020 is still a far cry from where we are as a nation. Purposeful development still lies in human development; as a nation can only move forward if its citizens are committed to a collective goal. We all need to keep this in mind as we go on. This statement is still achievable.