Last last, the year 2023 is here with us. Glory to Almighty God for saving our lives in the new year. Life is a gift that cannot be compared to any other.

That is why with all the hustle and bustle that shaped the events of last year 2022, which puzzled many Nigerians, not to mention the global events that also rubbed off on us, the endless Russo-Ukrainian war,

we just have to remain optimistic that 2023 will be better, prosperous and progressive for us.

However, 2023 comes loaded with two important national activities. First, it is an election year and a change of administration is expected. Secondly, the year is for the national population census, an opportunity to find out how many we are for proper development planning.

These two national events are sacrosanct, and their results will go a long way toward aligning, reshaping, directing, and refocusing our nation’s trajectory for a long time to come.

In the meantime, the aforementioned are imperatives for this piece titled ‘Ensuring a Productive 2023’. Our task here is to encourage our national affairs managers (elected and appointed politicians, civil and public officials) outgoing in the next five months and also incoming, to regard this year as a no-fail year in productivity across the board.

A retrospect of our national affairs has shown a glimpse of a nation very unproductive and wasteful of its human and natural resources.

Therefore, it is high time that we retrace our steps and redirect our national assets towards productivity.

Although many view our challenges as multifaceted, for us it is a positive view of the challenges and opportunities in the new year and beyond. It is located in our national productivity.

What do we understand then by productivity?

Economists say that productivity refers to the physical relationship between the quantity produced (output) and the quantity of resources used in the course of production (input).

In addition, “It is the relationship between the production of goods and services and the input of resources consumed in the production process.”

In other words, productivity has to do with the level at which the resource, being an input, produces wealth that is generated through various production processes.

Meanwhile, the whole process takes in the form of knowledge, human labor, machine and equipment, time, energy, power, and raw materials.

What do we understand by a productive 2023?

For example, at the macro level, productivity is a measure of the performance of a country’s economy. Similarly, from a national point of view, productivity is the relationship between available goods and services and the country’s potential resources.

Here, productivity means an economic measure of the production indicator and the efficiency of resources. This would allow long-term growth of the economy.

Interestingly, productivity means that domestic resources are used to the maximum, while waste is minimized, which leads to a reduction in the cost of production and, subsequently, to the availability of quality products at lower and more affordable prices. for citizens.

The task for us is to ensure a productive 2023.

We are waiting for a new administration in the center and congress of new and old legislators. For us law and order, stability of government, harmony between states, etc. they are essential for a productive 2023. Eliminating all forms of inefficiency will help improve national productivity.

Fundamentally, this will come through the competencies and attitudes of managers of our national affairs, including government policies and programs that are significant for productivity. The output of government agencies, as it affects transportation, communications power, fiscal and monetary policies (taxes, loans, debt, interest rate, foreign exchange) influences overall national productivity.

This makes productivity synonymous with progress. It could be said that the resources of a country are not always enough.

The benefits of a productive 2023

Generally, productivity is essential for improving the standard of living and for the prosperity of a nation. In addition, productivity leads to economic growth and social progress.

It ensures that workers earn better wages and working conditions, and the creation of more employment opportunities. Productivity improves a country’s exports and foreign exchange earnings. Therefore, productivity is the key to eliminating trade balance deficits. It is through productivity that various value chains in a sector such as agriculture are linked and integrated into industrialization.

According to John W. Kendrick, “The main means by which mankind can rise from poverty to a condition of relative material influence is by increasing productivity.”

At the macroeconomic level, productivity improves a country’s standard of living because more goods and services are produced, inflation and interest rates stabilize, and gross domestic product (GDP) increases.

At the microeconomic level, national productivity increases the real income of citizens and improves their ability to purchase goods and services.

It also gives them the opportunity to enjoy leisure activities, access better housing and education, and contribute to social and environmental programs. It serves as a means to reduce mass poverty and inequality.

However, the government gets more revenue through the expanded tax net as a result of tax payments (which can be used to finance social and environmental programs).

In conclusion, for us we are optimistic that 2023 will become a productive year. And this would come with visionary and bold leadership in the face of stunted, weak and passive Chuavannists.

Happy New Year.

Olamilekan writes from Ibadan Oyo State via [email protected]

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