Happy new year to my brothers and sisters both at home and in Diaspora. 2016 was an uncommon year in the annals of our history. A year in which people created into wealth by the abundant mineral deposits in every nooks and crannies of this country ended on the lowest scores ever.

Unemployment rate climbed above 13% and inflation climbed above 18%. Commodities soared to the extent that chickens dared Nigerians and left to survive because of weak spending power. It was a year in which those who should know said the marauding killers in most part of the country were not Fulani Herdsmen but cattle rustlers.

At a point they said the killers were not even Nigerians. It was a year in which hitherto rod carrying cattle herders openly displayed AK 47 rifles without qualms. A year of paradox in which leaders who should empathize with Nigerians talked down on them. A year in which prophets that predicted abundance are now rationalizing why their prophecies failed. A year that took us back to our days of old in which our parents cooked rice on special days only. It was a year of blood-letting not just in Nigeria but all over the world.

For those who lost their lives to terror, accidents, ailments or natural causes in 2016, may they find perfect rest in the Lord. To those of us that God preserved, may He strengthen us through His ever loving mercies for a better year. We all know that Nigeria didn’t find herself in this mess by accident. We walked ourselves into it through the indiscretions of our leaders.

So for us to get back to the place we ought to be, time has come for us to reason together and stop the blame game. Cursing our leaders would make them more confused. They now need wisdom from above. The present blaming the past should give way to rational thoughts, planning and innovations and the political party in power should stop being in opposition with itself.

If two years of blame didn’t restore us to where we ought to be, then government must now adopt new strategies to resolving the myriads of problems confronting us as a nation. The President’s gatekeepers must also watch what they tell Nigerians during painful times so that they do not portray Mr. President as being less bothered about the pain of others outside his religion or tribe.

Nigerians of all tribes and religion voted for him to become the President of this great country. So, how can a Presidential gatekeeper justify the silence of the father of the nation over the deaths and carnage in Southern Kaduna?

If the then General Muhammadu Buhari, a former Military Head of State in Nigeria could lead other Generals and a team of Arewa Consultative Forum to the Governor of Osun State on 13th October, 2000 to protest the alleged killings of over 69 Fulani herdsmen in Saki area of the State and warned that such should never happen again, why would a presidential gatekeeper then tell Nigerians that it is not mandatory for the President to speak on the loss of lives in Southern Kaduna and nay in any part of Nigeria for that matter or don’t they read history?

The Life of every Nigerian matters. Such gaffe must be guided against in 2017. The anger in the land is phenomenal. Therefore, the choice of words by Presidential and Governors’ spokesmen matter and must be soothing in times like this. For peace to reign in this land, we must all play our parts. No country can develop in turmoil and chaos.

I appeal to all agitators for self-determination and resource control to kindly come to discussion table in response to the President’s open invitation. Let us give peace a chance through Negotiation and Mediation. Government on the other hand must be sincere in seeking genuine reconciliation. It must also ensure that it cures the hunger in the land fastly.

When local Rice is more expensive than imported Rice, smuggling becomes thriving and inevitable. Government must also ensure improvement in the budgetary process and its implementation. May the ideal Nigeria of our hearts begin to manifest sooner than expected in 2017. Peace!!!!

Dr. Ogbeifun is the President of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC)