Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to initiate new strategic approach to save the dwindling economy, saying the country cannot survive under the current situation.
Speaking on Tuesday during the 2022 edition of Grandmothers’ Festival held in Epe,Lagos, Adams picked holes in the administration’s policies that had reduced the nation to a country that is surviving on foreign loans.
He, however, warned the present administration to desist from borrowings that are capable of turning the country to a perpetual debtor.
“At the moment, Nigeria’s economy is dwindling and it is in a state of comatose.Nothing is working.There is an urgent need for the Federal Government to evolve a strategic approach to salvage the economic doldrum facing the country”,
“In recent time, Nigeria has been surviving on foreign loans and the economic hardship is hitting hard on the ordinary citizens,”
“The recent scarcity and increase in the prices of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) can only make things worse for Nigeria and Nigerians”
Citing the sudden increase in the cost of flight tickets nationwide,Iba Adams added that such increase would only add to the suffering of the people, maintaining that such could hinder the prospects of Air travels across the country.
“The proposed increase in the cost of flight tickets nationwide will also add to the suffering of the people”
“Now that people prefer to travel by Air as a result of the high spate of insecurity, it is very unfortunate that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have resolved to increase the cost of flight tickets nationwide”
“For example, economy flight tickets that sold for N30,000 or N35,000 at a flat rate has been increased to
N50,000 nationwide”
“The domestic operators gave reasons for the sudden increase which, according to them, include
high cost of jet A1 fuel, forex scarcity, double digit inflation, increase in ground handling charges, cost of buying and importation of spare parts among others”
“Apart from the aviation sector, other sectors of the Nigerian economy are also suffering.The huge increase in import duty tariff for imported vehicles are taking a heavy toll on businesses and the cost of goods and services”,
“It is very important for President Muhammadu Buhari to take a drastic step that can help salvage the economy.Buhari must evolve a strategic approach to save the dwindling economy from imminent collapse,”
On the Grandmothers’ festival,he said the festival had really helped in bringing development to the ancient town of Epe.
“The transformation in Epe today is evident.The festival has spiritual contents that are capable of turning the city around.Grandmothers’ Festival is a replica of Halloween festival celebrated across Europe and the people are better off promoting their cultural identities”
In his remarks,the Oloja of Epe,Oba
Kamorudeen Animasaun also applauded Adams’ consistency in promoting the cultural identity of the Yoruba race,saying the Oodua People’s Congress has been at the vanguard of securing the south west region.
Let me appreciate Aareonakakanfo
of Yorubaland for his consistency in championing the cause of cultural rejuvenation.Epe people will always stand by the group in its efforts to ensure the safety of the town.
Parakoyi Aareonakakanfo,Prof Raheem Kolawole urged all OPC Members not to lose focus,saying history will always be kind to the group.
“The struggle of the OPC will never go in vain,whether now or later Nigeria’s history will be kind to OPC as a group that had rescued the Yoruba race during the most challenging period in the history of Nigeria”
Other guests at the event include the Oloja of Epe land,Oba Kamorun Animasaun,Olu of Eko-Epe, Oba Sefiu Adewale Bamgbopa,Alara of Ilara Epe, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo and several others
Parakoyi Aareonakakanfo,Prof. Raheem Kolawole,Fiwagboye Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land andChief Nureni Odedina,members of the National Executive Council (NEC),and Members of the National Coordinating Council (NCC) among others.
