The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has expressed concern over the decline in the well-being of Nigerians as a result of the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Igwe Achebe also lamented growing insecurity and economic hardship in the country.
The monarch made the statement during the celebration of the 2024 Ofala Festival in Onitsha on Friday.
During the festival, themed, ‘Courage,’ Perseverance, Self-Reliance,” the monarch urged Nigerians to persevere through the difficult times.
He said, “The well-being of the people has declined more steeply in the last 12 months, leading to a 10-day national protest in August 2024, tagged #Endbadgovernance. The two areas of greatest concern are the economy and security.
“Their combined effects include the spiraling rise in the cost of living, business closures, loss of employment, and a general feeling of hopelessness and lack of trust in the government.”
The monarch expressed disappointment that despite Tinubu’s strong belief in his bold policies, petrol prices have skyrocketed, while the naira has continued to fall.
He urged the President to consider alternative means and urgently convene a non-partisan national economic and security summit to forge a collective way forward for the country.
Achebe also decried the destruction of lives and property by rampaging gunmen in the South-East, with little or no attention given to the situation by the relevant authorities.
He said, “In the South-East, we still face the unrelenting scourge of the unknown gunmen who kill, maim, and kidnap their fellow Ndigbo for ransom. Schools, markets, and public facilities remain closed on Mondays, causing enormous economic and social costs to Ndigbo.
“Armed criminal activities in the community increased drastically in August 2024. The most pressing challenge we faced in the last 12 months has been inadequate funding for our two vigilante teams.”
Punch
