MR. Oluwadara Yemi, a civil servant, urged government to reduce poverty and improve living standards. “Government should give us hope and create employment for youths who roam the streets without jobs. Electricity supply has not improved but we continue to receive ‘crazy bills’ from officials of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC). This ought not to be,” he said.

A trader, Mr. Bode Lawal said: “Government should focus on restoration of peace and unity; all other development is subsumed in an atmosphere of peace.”

Mrs. Ifeoma Henry, a medical practitioner, said: “Government at the local, state and federal levels should give attention to health issues. Government should improve the public health sector. Many Nigerians cannot afford the expensive health care in private hospitals. Government should support primary health and antenatal care, to avoid increase in mother and child mortality. I also expect the federal government to genuinely prosecute the war on corruption, address insecurity, ensure strict adherence to the rule of law, generate employment and ensure full independence of the judiciary.”

For Abdulwahab Idris, a teacher, “Governor Akinwumi Ambode must embark on acquisition of modern and advanced equipment, to empower the security arm of the state. This would enhance tackling of criminal activities. Likewise, he should partner with the media to ensure adequate sensitisation of people on security matters. Having promised free education up to secondary school level, as a basic right of every child in the state, the governor must keep to his words.

In 2016, I want the government to make power top priority. We should not live in darkness at this stage of our nation’s history. We cannot be in darkness and yet continue to pay exorbitant bills. PHCN staff should be checked on how they allocate bills; they cannot give a one-room apartment the same bill as a three-bedroom flat. Such practice must stop.

The governor must be interested in schools’ renovation programmes, as a lot of schools in Lagos are still in a bad condition. He must upgrade libraries and make both the Lagos State University (LASU), and the Lagos State Polytechnic centres of academic excellence.
“For President Buhari, we want to see all his promises fulfilled. He vowed to fight corruption, ensure security, jobs creation and others. Now is the time for fulfillment.”

Speaking on the challenge of housing, Ogechukwu Emmanuel said: “Apart from expanding the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMS) to involve more people, the Lagos State government must focus on affordability of housing. Population is rising and rent is very expensive; government must tackle these.”

A film distributor, Esther Ilebeno wants “government to improve Nigeria’s image internationally. We should be able to get visas easily, to do businesses or go on vacations in other countries without stress. Also, better electricity should be a main focus. The limited supply has greatly impeded the growth of our businesses. Government should invest more in the entertainment industry and make loans accessible to filmmakers and people who are interested in building cinemas. They should also consider building state cinemas. In other countries, these generate huge revenue.”

Uyi Omoruyi wants improvement in electricity and a special task force for busting piracy in the entertainment industry, “especially those in Alaba who are profiting wrongly from the sweat of creative minds. It kills their creativity and drive to do more. I think government should look into this in 2016.”

According to Udoh Emmanuel Imoh, government must repair roads that have become death traps. “We cannot even drive in peace. Nigerian roads send you to your mechanic every day. Roads in Imo, Abia and Cross River States are deplorable. They should be repaired, and more bridges built. I also expect to see the promised free education because education is becoming quite expensive. Jobs should be provided for graduates. Since the price of fuel in the international market is dropping, we should turn to agriculture and provide land and loans for youths who are willing to farm.”

The provision of constant electricity supply is uppermost in the mind of James Emmanuel. He said: “In 2016, I want the government to make power top priority. We should not live in darkness at this stage of our nation’s history. We cannot be in darkness and yet continue to pay exorbitant bills. Staff of DISCOS should be checked on how they allocate bills; they cannot give a one-room apartment the same bill as a three-bedroom flat. Such practice must stop.”

Olanrewaju Gregory Ajila hopes 2016 is “nothing like 2015 in terms of security, which has been nothing to write home about, both at the state and federal levels. The government should fulfill all promises on security. Traffic and bank robberies have become the order of the day. This is really appalling. Lagos should improve on its traffic situation, which has grown worse in recent times. There should be a ban on container-laden trucks plying any route during the day. These are mobile death traps that fall on other vehicles. Electricity supply should also be enhanced, as it plays a key role in the economy. Lastly, they should look into exploitation by digital satellite television operators and significant reduction in fuel price. Removing only 50 kobo is a joke.”

For Mr. Kareem Hassan, there is no greater pursuit than an end to the insurgency in the North East. He said: “For me, infrastructural development in other parts of the country, while killings continue in the North makes no sense. As long as people continue to die every day, as a result of Boko Haram attacks, then we are also not safe in the West. We don’t know the next plan of Boko Haram. We are aware some members were captured around Apapa and Egbeda, some time ago. Is it when they bomb Idumota or other big markets that we would find a permanent solution?”

Mr. Jasper Okere has good roads on his mind. “In 2016, I hope government looks seriously at road networks particularly the Mangoro-Cement-Iyana-Ipaja axis. Flyovers should be constructed there, to ease traffic; commuters, like me, spend almost six hours daily, going and coming back from work.”

Empowerment of widows and their children is a priority for Mr. Gbenga Oko-Osi. “We are not asking for money but empowerment in the form of seminars and information sharing, to help them develop themselves and add value to the society. Some people have great ideas but lack the wherewithal to turn them into profitable things. When youths are empowered, the society is safe for all,” he said.

Mrs. Oluchi Ibeh wants a fulfillment of the change promised by the Buhari administration. “No more lies, no more propaganda and no more excuses in 2016. Electricity is a major issue in my locality and this has not been good for businesses. We want the government to end lack of power supply and huge bills even when the product is barely available,” she said.