Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has appealed to Nigerians to unite with the
government to overcome the current hardship in the country.
In his opening remarks at the consultative forum between the government’s
Economic Management Team and the Private Sector on the Economic Recovery
Growth Plan, to be launched later this month, he said the journey out of
the damage caused by years of neglect and corruption was bound to be
difficult but there is a glorious light at the end of the tunnel.
“Let us work together, steadfastly and patiently for the economic change
that will come very soon,” he was quoted as saying in excerpts from his
address.
Acknowledging ongoing street protests in criticism of the economic
hardship, Mr. Osinbajo said, “We hear you loud and clear, those who are on
the streets protesting the economic situation and even those who are not,
but feel the pain of economic hardship. We hear you loud and clear. You
deserve a decent life and we are working night and day to make life
easier.”
The Ag. President quoted recent related remarks by President Buhari, to
back up his message, as follows: “I know that uppermost in your minds
today is the economic crisis, the recession for many individuals and
families is real. For some it means not being able to pay school fees, for
others it is not being able to afford the high cost of rice, millet, or of
local or international travel. And for many of our young people the
recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or
polytechnic.
“I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult
life I have always earned a salary, and I know what it is like when your
salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making
incredible sacrifices.”
President Buhari is away in the United Kingdom on a 10-day medical leave
that was to have ended yesterday, paving the way for him to return to work
today. Only yesterday, however, it was disclosed that he had written to
the National Assembly to extend the leave. There are speculations he may
not return for another four months.