By Donna Welles.
This week marked the Presidential Inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim man from Northern Nigeria who seems to be well liked across Africa as perhaps fifty heads of state attended the ceremony.
President Buhari had returned from his trip to the United Kingdom, as Nigeria has its colonial roots in the British Isles. Notably, this is not President Buhari’s first term as Nigeria’s Chief Executive as he also held that title from 31 December, 1983 until 27 August, 1985.
Territorial gains have been made on behalf of the Nigerian Army in their efforts to neutralize Boko Haram. Regions have been reclaimed, hostages have been rescued, and a sense of moral has been restored as previously the Army was burdened by desertions, soldiers refusing to fight.
Such issues did not, in all likelihood, arise in the face of battle fatigue but were rather a manifestation of a nation-wide epidemic of corruption. Specifically, 66 death sentences for solders were handed down and 34 generals have been retired. Violence persists, however, as today the BBC reported that Boko Haram has attacked the Northern city of Maiduguri.
A peculiar energy crisis has emerged in Nigeria, one that is not rooted in either supply or demand. Rather, Nigeria’s private sector has demanded the Nigerian government to pay a lump sum of $1billion before it will turn on the pumps at Nigerian gas stations.
Finally, logistical improvements in terms of transportation have been financed by the People’s Republic of China going back to at least 2008. In 2008, the PRC paid $440million and $990million for Shipping and Auto improvements. In 2009, the PRC paid $850million for a Rail improvement. In 2010, the PRC paid $150million for a Shipping improvement. In 2012, the PRC paid $160million, $680million, and $1.5billion on Rail, Shipping, and Rail improvements.
Nigeria is Africa’s largest country. Muhammadu Buhari has replaced Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria’s Chief Executive.
