It was the 32nd president of the United State of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt that introduced the '100 Day Parameter' of accessing world leaders, when he took over as president in 1933.
At that time, America was plunged with the problem of the Great Depression of the 1930's which crippled the economies of world super powers at that time.
Roosevelt took major steps within his first 100 days in office to address key issues facing America at that time. For instance, he pushed 15 major bills through the USA Congress within his first 100 days in office. Since then, leaders of countries of the wold have often been accessed by their output in office within the first 100 days of stewardship.
As President Muhammadu Buhari clocks 100 days at the helm of Affairs, it therefore becomes imperative that we chronicle his 100 day in office. This chronicle mainly involves actions and decisions taken by the president and not his campaign promises or the 100 day covenant which has been dismissed by the presidency and the ruling APC.
On May 29, President Buhari ordered the relocation of military command to Maiduguri.
On June 3, Buhari embarked on his first foreign trip to Niger Republic to hold talks on how to contain the Boko Haram sect.
On June 4, he proceeded to Chad where he championed the creation of the Multinational Joint Task Force, which will create a ring around terrorists with the cooperation of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin.
On June 6, the President attended G7 Summit for the first time in Germany on the invitation of the G7 leaders.
On June 11, Buhari met with some Presidents of the West African countries under the Lake Chad Basin, on the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). To further give a bite to the MNJTF, President Buhari ordered the release of $21million to facilitate the establishment of the headquarters of the force in N’Djamena. The United States also pledged $5 million to the fight against Boko Haram, in addition to other material support.
On June 22, Buhari ordered the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector- general of police to dismantle all military check points nationwide purportedly to free military manpower and resources for the conflict against Boko Haram.
On June 26, the President dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This marked the beginning of reforms in the oil sector.
On June 29, the president inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice president Yemi Osinbajo.
On July 2, Buhari appointed Daura as new DG State Security Services (SSS)
On July 6, Buhari approved bailout packages for 27 states
On July 10, Buhari and Osinbajo slashed salaries by 50%
On July 13, he altered the strategy against Boko Haram by changing the service chiefs, and ensuring that the entire operation gets daily monitoring with the military heads now based in Maiduguri. He also gave a three month ultimatum for insurgency to end in Nigeria.
On July 16, Buhari dissolved boards of all federal parastatals, agencies and institutions.
On July 19, Buhari Left Abuja for the United States on a four-day working visit. He met with President Obama.
On August 4, he appointed Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu as new group managing director for the NNPC.
On August 5, President Buhari ordered a fast-track of Ogoni clean-up, acting on a United Nations Environmental Project Report that has been long delayed by previous administrations.
On August 9, Buhari ordered full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by ministries, Department and agencies.
On August 11, Buhari appointed a presidential advisory committee on war against corruption, headed by Professor Itse Sagay. He directed the committee to design an effective template for fighting corruption.
On August 13, Buhari met with the service chiefs and gave a three months ultimatum for the defeat of the Boko Haram sect.
On August 17, the President approved the recruitment of 10, 000 into the Nigerian Police.
On August 23, Buhari ruled out the appointment of a government delegation for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. By this decision, the government saved about $1million and N30million in local expenses.
On August 27, Buhari appointed new Secretary to the Federal Government, New Chief of Staff among others
On September 3, Buhari declared an assets of less than 30 million naira, 270 cows, five houses and shares.
As laudable as these could be, Nigerians expect more from the president in the fight against Boko Haram, as more than 800 persons have died from Boko Haram related causes since May 29. More effort is also needed in the ongoing fight against corruption. Workable economic blueprint, employment creation, federal character principle and inclusion of women in governance should follow without further delay.
*Michael Onjewu is an economist and public affairs analyst. (Twitter @MikoOnjewu, BBM 56412790)
No comments:
Post a Comment