The year 2023, was one of the hardest years Nigerians have ever undergone after the ugly experience of civil war. After eight years of the past immediate administration’s clueless policies Nigerians never wished the next administration to follow the former regime’s paths. They hoped to have the best brains in the economic team that would come up with policies to help the country attain its economic ambition, not inhuman policies that will turn many Nigerians into paupers overnight.
It is clear to all and sundry that Nigeria is presently at the edge of the precipice as life became miserable for the larger population of Nigerians in terms of the economic, security, food security, social, and ethno-religious predicament.
Without any iota of doubt, the current administration took over a bankrupt economy when it came in. But then, the newest administration added salt to injury to the country’s hardship.
Against the backdrop of the hardship, Mr President’s inaugural speeches have significantly contributed to the present situation with his single paragraph about the removal of fuel subsidy.
A few days later, the administration also announced the unification of the exchange rate of the naira.
Again, the Naira that was exchanged at N700 to a dollar then is now above N1,200. The unification has not been achieved as the Naira each passing day gets weaker at the black market.
These policies have overnight turned many Nigerians into paupers. Feeding is now a herculean task for many families. Nigerians are now picking food from the garbage. Now, poor families are deliberately sending their children into modern-day slavery all in a bid to survive the hard times. Some have become domestic help, while others are lured into prostitution both at home and in foreign lands.
The World Bank said that over 133 million Nigerians are suffering from what it called multi-dimensional poverty. The nation has never had it so bad!
Those who are working are finding it difficult to cope due to the high cost of most essentials. Worse, millions of people are unemployed. Prices of foodstuff and other household essentials are always on the increase on an hourly basis.
Masses are tired of with usual rhetoric of the country rulers which is “I feel your pains; we need to make sacrifices by enduring the pain,” among others. Nigerians have had enough of those rhetoric, to last them a lifetime.
The past months have been very challenging. They were the hardest for Nigerians in so many ways.
Even though the president admitted to the suffering of poor citizens, the administration seems like it has not done the needful to alleviate the suffering.
Nigerians want the renewed hope administration to investigate alleged treasury looting. The MDAs are bogged down in the mire of graft. Treasury looting is also going on unabated and the alleged perpetrators are walking freely. Only the former CBN governor is before the court.
As a matter of urgency, President Tinubu should investigate and recover money looted from officials that served under Buhari’s Government. This has become imperative in view of how funds meant for the lots of ordinary citizens were squandered during the last eight years. The investigation should not be limited to CBN and the Humanitarian ministry. There is need for those on the helm of affairs to feel bold in the investigation despite the fact that they are from same party. The recovered loot can be used to fund the budget.
Abba Dukawa, [email protected]
