The Chairman, Awliya Foundation, and Former Gubernatorial Aspirant in Kwara, Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal has appealed to Nigerians to embrace the country’s diversity and improve on her economic challenges.
In a statement he signed in commemoration of the nation’s anniversary, it partly reads: “Today, Nigeria celebrates 61 years post-independence, face from far-reaching challenges, prices of food and other essential commodities have gone past the reach of the average man, people are living in fear and mutual suspicion.
“The security challenges once restricted to a part of the country has spread to virtually all nook and cranny of the Nation. Kidnapping, cattle rustling and banditry has thrived, with Nigerians having to cough millions to secure the release of their loved ones.
“Terrorism in the country already witnessed a new twist with the introduction of ISWAP, these and other security challenges rustling our security forces, it’s a relief that they’re now responding well, and they are making reasonable gains.”
The statement further reads: “Whilst the government at all levels are collaborating to tackle the challenges bewildering us as a people, they must understand the root cause of our numerous problems is “poverty”.
“I believe that the greatest challenge of our country is economic, it’s better left unimagined how poverty and unemployment have led more people to crime.
“The inability of the government to cut administrative costs has made youths lose hope in the system, the result is a massive brain drain. How then can a Nation survive and prosper without its best brains?
“The government should as a matter of urgency take proactive steps to lift as many people out of poverty, with over 40% of its citizens languishing in poverty, the scenario, if it continues, portends a worse situation than that which currently subsists. If we want the fabric of our Nation to remain strong, this trend must be reversed urgently. This requires genuine sacrifice from the political class.
“There should be unrestricted access to basic amenities of life, such as clean water, free basic education in its true state, and good healthcare. The cost of servicing political office holders should be cut and minimum wage should be raised. The government should also be sincere in its policies, thereby increasing the trust and cooperation of citizens in its programs.
“The cloud hovering around the future of the country may be blurry, but we should keep our hope strong and alive, in our diversity lies our strength, we should continue being patriotic citizens, even when it is unfashionable, with time, like an old wine, our situation will get better.”