High Cost Of Living, Insecurity Top Nigerians’ Concerns In New Year

 …As They Seek Urgent Measures To Contain Economic Hardship

…Want More Action On Presidential Promises

LAGOS – The rising cost of living and increasing rate of insecurity in the coun­try topped the major concerns expressed by Nige­rians in the new year, accord­ing to Sunday Independent’s findings.

Among those who spoke with Sunday Independent, there was palpable fear that these two areas might prove to be hard nuts for President Bola Tinubu to crack despite his assurances.

Professor John Ebhomien, a chieftain of the All Progres­sives Congress (APC), told Sunday Independent that the priorities for President Tinubu should be to put in place appro­priate mechanisms for imple­mentation of government’s policies and programmes.

Ebhomien, a former World Bank/IMF economist, stated: “There must be probity and accountability at all levels of governance.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new year message to Nigerians has ‘Renewed Hope’ for economic growth and sus­tainable development.

“A critical study of Mr. President message shows his desire to uplift the standard of living, create employment for our youths, ensure security of lives and properties, provide living wage for workers, create enabling environment for busi­ness and investment to thrive, reduce inflation, fight corrup­tion, exchange rates reductions and other policies that would help propel the economy into an enviable levels.”

Dr. Kalu Ofon Emmanuel, President, Lagos State Chap­ter, the International Human Rights Protection Service, Florida, USA, stated, “What l think should be the priorities for President Tinubu in 2024 should be absolutely turn­around of the epileptic Nige­rian epileptic suffocating the people.”

While advocating for growth in every sector, Dr Emmanuel, a public affairs analyst, said: “Our economy has been bas­tardised into gross suffocation and needs resuscitation with very urgent attention.

“Every sector requires im­mediate compulsory priority therapy. This included the health sector, education sector, transportation, commerce, avi­ation, security, etc.

“The President must not lis­ten to sycophants around him if he must get his priorities executed and what the mass­es are saying should give him concern.

“Nigerians need good roads, constant power supply, food on the table, access to medical treatment and facilities, dollar exchange rate has tremendous­ly turned the naira to worthless currency.

“If he actually means well for the country and the gov­erned the president should give urgent attention to the above major mentioned need and many more.”

Julius Adegunna, a publish­er, stated: “Tinubu’s priority should be to make life easier for Nigerians by laying a solid foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

“He must ensure that en­abling environments are pro­vided within which Nigerians can be conveniently accom­modated, with production of gainful employment, provi­sion of electricity, functioning educational and health insti­tutions, boost in agricultural revolution with the policies for Nigerians to produce and feed themselves.

“Many of these policies will reduce pressure on the coun­try’s dependence on foreign currencies.”

Dr Andrews Okhirehbu, a cleric and public affairs an­alyst, asked: “What we think should be the priorities for the president for days ahead?

“Honestly, the question is profound and timely in a mod­ern and trusted society as we all hoped our nation to be one day.

“Firstly, for now, the pres­ident should prioritise trust building and covenant bonds between the people and the government.

“Secondly, there should be an openness and sincerity in the running of the govern­ment. There should be nothing to hide from the people.

“Thirdly, the president should know that what they called ‘palliative measures’ are just grammar and not translat­ed to its reality, but into the offi­cials’ pockets as usual.

“The real people’s pallia­tives should be good roads and streets evident around the na­tion.”

Dr Victor Mathew, a secu­rity expert and public affairs commentator, while listing the priority areas for the gov­ernment, stated: “There are so many areas that require atten­tion but I will limit my submis­sions to a very few.

“First and foremost is the challenge of insecurity. Growth and development can­not take place in an unsecured environment.

“The Buhari government could not deal decisively with security issues and this govern­ment seems so far to be toeing that path

“Nothing has changed, except that new heads were appointed, more killings, kid­nappings are still happening.

“The President cannot waste government resources on foreign travels seeking in­vestors. No investor will invest in a troubled environment be­cause his or investment is not safe.

“Constitutionally, the pri­mary purpose of government in Nigeria is the security and welfare of Nigerians. Any gov­ernment that fails in that, has lost its legitimacy to govern.

“Secondly, is the state of the economy. The economy is in a very bad shape with inflation attaining all-time high figures.

“The removal of fuel sub­sidy without a well thought-out remedial alternative, has pushed many Nigerians living below poverty line

“The foreign exchange float too has made the Dollar very high which has impacted negatively because the econ­omy is an import dependent economy

“I will also want the govern­ment to patronise Made-in-Ni­geria items like vehicles produced in the country and other products. This will re­duce pressure on the chase of dollars.

The government must pri­oritise the fight against cor­ruption. Corruption is the big­gest problem of Nigeria. The government must fight and be seen to fight corruption incor­ruptly.

The government has to re­duce and trim its size. Having a bogus cabinet in times of hard­ship is a bad example of how the government thinks.

“The people cannot be asked to tighten their belts while gov­ernment officials are having trouble even wearing their belts. That is simply preaching water and drinking wine.

“The power sector should be an area of priority. It is very shameful that a country of over 200 million persons cannot gen­erate up to 5,000 megawatts. This sector requires urgent attention.

“Lastly, the refining capac­ity of the country must be im­proved upon. The government has to be more pragmatic in stopping the importation of re­fined products because we are the only oil producing country that is importing refined prod­ucts.”