"Hey! Here is Five naira for you" by DON ABIODUN ODEDEYI

I called my neighbour's attention to an object that has been on the floor of our backyard for two days - Five Naira.

"Pally, here is N5 for you", I teased him.
"No, you can take it."

During the exchange, I gathered that the N5 bill has been on the open floor for five days!

As we laughed it off and head to our quarters, something jolted me to reality.

FIVE NAIRA on the floor for five days?

Recently, one of my elderly and respected 'dad' on facebook narrated how he bought his first brand new car for about N3,000 in 1986. Today, such deal, depending on your choice, will cost you about N6,000,000 (six million Naira).
That is about 2000% increase compare to '86 price!
It also mean that this Five naira on the floor is worth N10,000 (using variables of economy value of 1986).
So, here I am, looking the other way on something worth sweating for in 1986.
Today, school children don't rise eyes if N1,000 is spotted on them.
So, in 27 years' time, should we be worried about handing out N2,000,000 (two million naira) to over children every morning while going to school?
You might say, "it can't just happen", right? Well, click here to read about the state of Zimbabwe economy.


Moving Forward
An economy propel, in large part, with revenue from crude oil, might be a sitting duck for unstable pricing especially when major players are at each other's neck.
Events in Iran, US, China, North Korea, countries whose relationship are strain, play a major role in world crude oil price.
Recent events where economic sanctions has been reverse on Iran, and North Korea seeking a closer ties with United States via reconciliation moves with South Korea might interprets to a short fall to budget funding.
In the mist of weak economy, compounded by unfriendly tax and levels, the backbone of any economy revival, small and medium scale businesses, is shattered.
As option closes in to nil, we've seen states creating public service delivery agency springs, moves that add to the already high recurring expenditure (which eat more than 65% of the annual budget)
To cushion these cost, new tariffs are being hurriedly passed to Law
A review of present tariffs and streamlining of overlapping tariffs will be a big boast because this one mode of generating revenue is killing the heart of economy - SMEs.
I stood up, moved away from the bill as it lay still on the floor, without looking back. Later in the day, the house cleaner will pack the bill, along with other dirts in the compound, to the waiting waste truck.
Odedeyi Abiodun
Twitter: @donabiodun