Nigeria @ 63: River Basin MD, Ahmed, Foresees Bright Future with Tinubu

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Managing Director, Benin-Owina River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), Salihu Ahmed, has said Nigeria getting to be 63 has been a good and rough journey.

Ahmed, made the assertion in Benin, capital of Edo State, while speaking with journalists on his thoughts on Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

Ahmed who said he appreciated the vision of the founding fathers who though it wise to agitate for independence, noted that the best period for the country going through history was the discovery of crude oil who made Nigeria super rich, an economic giant and a father Christmas to many nations.

However, he said gains was shot lived as Nigeria went into long successive military administration which failed to right the wrongs

According to him, “I indeed appreciate the vision of the founding fathers who thought it wise to agitate for the independence.

“The best period for Nigeria going through history was the discovering of crude oil which made the country super rich, economic giant and father Christmas to many nations.

“Unfortunately, the gain was short-lived no thanks to the long successive military administration which couldn’t get it right.”

He, however, expressed happiness about the country experiencing 63rd anniversary and uninterrupted democratic rule for 24 years from 1999 to date.

Concerning the present economic situation in the country, the BORBDA boss expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu possesses the magic wand to change the fortunes of the country and, therefore, requires a little more time to reset the system and create a brighter and more rewarding future for us all.

On the capacity of the president to meet the yearnings of the people and also lay a solid foundation for a prosperous Nigeria despite the temporary setbacks the country may be facing, Ahmed said he was a staunch believer in Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra, and urged Nigerians to exercise little patience as he tried to refit and re-engineer the economy while also dismantling the systemic clogs preventing good governance.

Ahmed who described himself as an incurable optimist, further noted that though the task before the president may look herculean, he would certainly not disappoint, having performed a similar feat in Lagos.

He further explained that though the removal of the fuel subsidy may seem harsh, it was, however, one of those painful and hard decisions needed to be taken to clear the Augean stable before the country can make a fresh start.