On May 29, 2017, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari commenced its second half of the four-year tenure. Indeed, Nigerians have mixed experiences. The fight against corruption on one side and diversification of the economy on the other side and then, foreign exchange crisis due to unprecedented crash in global crude oil prices.
To a few that superficially voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC), the first half was a drift on account of the hardship in the country. Unfortunately, the deed was already done.
Beyond doubt, it was tough, rough and hard-hitting that having three square meals by some families became a war.
To others, particularly matured minds, it was, and still is a worthy sacrifice, akin to the Biblical Moses and his journey to the promised land. On the way, it became sturdy that some couldn’t sustain it and therefore, lost confidence in Moses. They called him names and requested for reinstatement to former positions.
In other words, giving support to the Federal Government at this critical period is vital vis-à-vis government’s efforts towards restructuring the economy. Reports across most states show various strenuous blueprints towards becoming self-reliant on the same commodities that were hitherto imported .  They attest that the change is gradually working.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for instance, recently affirmed that Aba traders now export N1 billion  worth of quality leather-shoes to overseas weekly. Verifiably, made-in-Nigeria shoes have indeed moved to the next level; on designs, quality  and convenience comparable to foreign shoes.
By implication, the ban placed on some imported goods by the Federal Government, though negatively affected importers, is overtly resuscitating our local industries as well as improving the economy in terms of job creation.
With the new mindset on improving on our local products, if adequate financial facilities can be accessible to genuine indigenous manufacturers towards boosting large scale production, I believe it will, in no distant time, boost the standard of living and the economy.
Ditto for agriculture. Lagos, Ebonyi, Enugu and a host of other states, for example, are waxing very strong in rice production that if the tempo is progressively sustained, the prices may crash below expectations, soon.
In Anambra, Governor Willie Obiano has announced the state’s target to export one million tubers of yam and other vegetables, this year. Suffice it to say that successful diversification to agriculture is yielding results.
Other states are equally working assiduously not to be left out. Recently, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State presented to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo his action-plans towards boosting agriculture in the state and reiterated his willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government for enhanced productivity.
Incontrovertibly, the medical vacations embarked upon by President Buhari in the United Kingdom which paved way for Osinbajo, the Vice President, to take charge on acting capacity proved one or two remarkable points to the country. First, Professor Osinbajo operates and associates freely with the same states, people and localities that have been no-go areas to President Buhari. The tension in some quarters has since subsided.
By implications, the economy could blossom exceedingly if Nigerians see each other as co-partners in the Nigeria-project.
The second point to decipher is that the adoption of Professor Osinbajo as the running mate to Buhari as well as his engagement to head the economic team is now evidently philosophical. It shows  that with Buhari’s political will pooled with Osinbajo’s weath of knowledge and subtlety, the country is  settled for giant strides. It now dawns on those that hitherto regarded Osinbajo’s office as redundant, that the office of the Vice President can be made vibrant depending on the occupant.
Imperatively, as the Federal Government works towards fixing the country, the Buhari administration should bear it in mind that  some more radical actions are  still needed particularly by deploying more competent hands to some of the key sectors.
Every significant transformation will always come with tough times;  hence, frivolous allowances of public office holders need to be put to a halt. Such bonanza-packages are too heavy on the economy at the moment  if we must achieve  speedy resuscitation.
Finally, now that the second half of the Buhari administration has kicked  off, appraisal on the cabinet is necessary. Those that made the cabinet list considerably on partisan line which is conventional, should be swapped with more competent hands. In all games, particularly politics, second half is always a decisive moment and no good leader takes it for granted.
In the next two years, dividends of democracy ought to be obvious in the lives of the citizenry putting into consideration all the planning and notable actions embarked upon across the states alongside the Federal Government. Without a doubt, 2019 elections will preoccupy the minds, but there is no better way to strategise for overwhelming victory than meeting the targets of the electorate.
Umegboro, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja.

Carl Umegboro