2016 is going to be a very tough year for Nigerians and Nigeria.

Our economy is sliding towards recession. With my basic understanding of economics and economies, there are no quick fixes. Government only available option is to rely on enforcing palliatives that would ensure present survival of many and prevent poverty of the populace.

During this year, it doesn't matter what your con pastor or Imam make you to believe through semantics. Religious leader who care will help you to see challenges ahead and it's going to be very tough, there's little miracle during this kind of period. Even church tithes will shrink. Here is already the dollar issue, compounded by decline in oil prices. And just today the CBN issued circular to all banks and other financial institutions to immediately start collection of N50 STAMP duties for all receiptiable transactions of N1000 and above. More kind of these rates will begin to apply in the nearest future. Why now you may ask? The FG revenue has been drastically narrowed, and rates and taxes are avenues that could improve cash flow to the centre.

Practically how much possible to realise from stolen wealth of Nigerians by few remained open ended as our court system was designed to favour those who have money. It's very possible in our Nigeria of today to order and procure black and white market injuctions just to stall proceedings without stop. If luck get to play any key role, President Buhari may be fortunate enough to nail few politicians and get some monies recovered. Notice, I used fortunate because the very system to catch political thieves in Nigeria remains largely complex. It's way easy to nail a business man, or petty phone snatcher in Nigeria than a politician.

Maybe also Nigeria might get some monies returned from Switzerland, and newly joined UAE if going by latest agreement. But what about monies stalked in UK, USA or are there no looted Nigeria monies there? I believe these countries should be in practise committed in Nigeria's fight to curb corruption, but trust history about our relation with them. They will be more prone to how to use instrumentalities of returning these monies as yardstick towards securing some economic and political benefits. I hope that President Buhari could at least begin to ask these countries to return these monies with accured interest. That's a fair deal!

Despite visible and foreseeable challenges in 2016, it shows a year full of immeasurable opportunities for Nigeria and Nigerians. Practically it's during this kind of economic uncertainty that countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile etc improved their economies. I strongly hope we do not waste this chance as a country again. For Nigeria and Nigerians, it's a time to look inwards and to individually but collectively develop on our internal strengths. We must begin to treasure things that are Nigeria and Nigerian core. We must begin to give our own people opportunity to practise, to succeed, and to fail and yes many will fail. And some will learn after initial failure, make improvements and try again for its in doing that one stand a chance of gaining exploits. We must not stop our people from continued practice and patronage.

During this year, I foresee a lot of nobodies of yesterday becoming extremely powerful in a short time. For in this year, machineries and buildings alone may not guarantee success. I envisaged sophistication of ideas and aligning processes more optimally as strongest determinant of people and companies that will succeed this year.

And in this year, focus shall be the new rule. Hopefully you get to find yours. And it's going to be a wonderful year for the strongest, and well positioned.

Yours, 
Ikenna Oguejiofor