As Nigerians express optimism that the horrible economic situation witnessed in 2023 will be alleviated in 2024, some stakeholders have advised the Federal government to ensure favourable policies.
Newspot reports that millions of Nigerians were in 2023 subjected to abject poverty following the removal of fuel subsidy and other policies by President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Other policies, such as the unification of the foreign exchange system, brought frustration to individuals, families and businesses across the country.
In a separate interview with Newspot on Monday, the National President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima and the President General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem called on the Federal Government to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians in 2024.
According to the AYCF President, 2023 was tumultuous for many Nigerians, saying citizens grappled with the consequences of various policies implemented by the current and previous governments.
Shettima said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration must improve its economic policies in 2024, stressing that the Nigerian economy must be diversified to attract investors.
He said, “One of the significant areas where the government needs to improve in 2024 is its economic policies.
“In 2023, Nigerians experienced the adverse effects of inflation, rising unemployment rates, and a struggling economy.
“The government must pay attention to implementing measures that promote economic growth, job creation, and stability.
“This can be achieved through the diversification of the economy, attracting foreign investments, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises”.
Shettima further urged the government to take necessary measures to tackle the security crisis bedevilling the nation.
He said, “Another critical area that demands immediate attention is the security and safety of Nigerians. In 2023, the country witnessed an upsurge in criminal activities, including kidnappings, armed robberies, and insurgency.
“The government must invest in modernizing security forces, enhancing intelligence gathering, and improving border control to combat these threats effectively.
“Additionally, efforts should be made to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.
“The inadequate state of infrastructure in Nigeria has been a long-standing issue, and 2023 was no exception. Insufficient road networks, unreliable power supply, and inadequate healthcare facilities continue to hinder the nation’s progress.
“The government must focus on infrastructure development in 2024, investing in constructing and maintaining roads, bridges, power plants, and hospitals. This will improve Nigerians’ quality of life, attract investments, and stimulate economic growth.
“Numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, outdated curricula, and a lack of access to quality education, have plagued the education sector in Nigeria. In 2023, these issues were further exacerbated, hindering the nation’s progress.
“To ensure a brighter future for Nigeria, the government must allocate more resources to education, revamp the curriculum to meet modern demands, and improve access to quality education for all citizens.
“Investing in vocational training and skill development programs will also empower the youth and enhance their employability”.
Similarly, the President General of COSEYL told Newspot that 2023 was a challenging year for Nigerians “due to subsidy removal that brought misery, hardship and hyperinflation in our nation. It has been difficult for so many families to feed two times a day”.
According to Ibem, all the dilapidated refineries should be completely repaired in 2024 to pave the way for refining in the country.
He said, “It is taboo for a nation like Nigeria, a significant producer and exporter of crude oil, to import fuel and other petroleum products. We can’t move forward if we continue this way. President Tinubu must put our refineries back on their feet.
“President Tinubu must expedite action to fix our roads in deplorable and severe conditions. Transportation of food items from the northern to the southern part of Nigeria is so excessive because of the high cost of fuel, diesel, and bad roads.
“Onions sold for N30 are now sold for N200, and yams sold for N400 are now sold for N2,000 due to high transportation costs.
“We want the President to revitalize our moribund industries in order to provide employment for our teeming youths who, after graduation from the university, have no jobs.
“The high unemployment level is a significant reason for insecurity in the country.
“They want the President to do something severe to address the killings by terrorists who, for reasons best known to them, have been killing Nigerians, who are mostly youths, children and women.
“The recent gruesome killings in Plateau state, where over 200 persons were killed in one night, are really saddening and barbaric. Something urgent must be done to address the issue of security”.
Tinubu said on Monday that he was aware of the frustrations of Nigerians and the discomfort that the removal of fuel subsidies and other policies imposed on them.
In his New Year broadcast, the President assured that Nigeria would come out of the challenging situation with equal resolution from the citizenry to become better stakeholders in the Nigeria project.
He said: “I am well aware that for some time now the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation, which is now above 28% and the unacceptable high under-employment rate.
“From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main-streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families.
“I am not oblivious to my fellow citizens’ expressed and sometimes unexpressed frustrations. I know for a fact that some of our compatriots are even asking if this is how our administration wants to renew their hope.”
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