Mr. President Speech Overlooked Fundamental Concerns

Mr. President speech overlooked fundamental concerns.

Abba Dukawa

In your first public comments since citizens took to the streets last week. You called for a suspension of protests against a cost of living crisis in the country implores #endbadgovernace organizers for dialogue. Mr President acknowledged the protesters’ grievances and called for the immediate suspension of further demonstrations.

In the address, Tinubu outlined various economic measures and initiatives his administration has undertaken in the past 14 months all aimed at easing citizens hardship caused by the economy policies of the administration. He said “N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-businesses are expected to benefit.

Most of the grants intended to alleviate the suffering of the people are being diverted for personal gain. This practice not only undermines the federal government’s efforts to support the needy but also erodes public trust in these vital programmes.This practice not only undermines the federal government’s efforts to support the needy but also erodes public trust in these vital programmes. There is for the president to explore alternative ways to distribute grants and palliatives directly to the intended beneficiaries. The bulk of these programmes are cornered by the governors, “Bypassing the governors is crucial for restoring faith in federal support programmes and ensuring that these resources serve the people as intended.

Let me make my humble view about the current situation in the country, Without any distortions of reality or an act to criticize your administration but the fact on ground that Life in Nigeria has became miserable for the larger population of Nigerians as the year 2024, was one of the hardest years Nigerians have ever undergone in recent years. Within 14 months the economic policies implemented by the administration has triggered more economic hardship to millions of citizens one minute to have a reason to smile, the very next second, make them feel heartbroken. The Renewed Hope is increasingly turning into Renewed Frustration for citizens. The Million Household was dehumanised by the economic hardship.

Mr President speech seems to have overlooked the fundamental concerns driving the protests like insecurity in the Northern part of the country. Last year, Nigeria was rated 144th position in the 2023 safest countries in the world ranking. The yearly Global Peace Index ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. The, issue of insecurity in North has become something of grave concern to all citizens, most of whom continue to wonder how the country and geopolitical zones arrived at such a dastardly situation where no one is safe; and worse still, rather than abate, the problem is escalating and now almost out of control.

The Majority of the people in the North has expressed profound concern over President’s oversight in failing to mention the severe security situation plaguing the North-West and other parts of the northern region. As a result, many communities have been forced to abandon their farmlands, schools have been shut down, and livelihoods destroyed. Peoples are gravely concerned that the President’s recent speech failed to address these urgent issues or provide reassurance to the communities living in constant fear and uncertainty.

Nigerians had high hopes for the President’s speech, would address the dire humanitarian disaster that criminal activities have brought upon our nation. The scale of the insecurity crisis is immense, with millions of our fellow citizens displaced internally, and hundreds of thousands of orphans facing hunger and malnourishment.

There is a need for the administration and its securities apparatus to take decisive action to address the root causes of the escalating violence and criminal activities.

IIt is vital that the government demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing this humanitarian disaster and shows that it has the capability to lead the nation through this challenging time.

I had expected the President to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and outline concrete plans for addressing these critical issues. The focus should have been on finding sustainable solutions to the crisis, prioritising the needs of the affected communities, and ensuring that necessary resources are allocated to support them.

Dukawa write in from Abuja can be reach out at abbahydukawa@gmail.com