Vice President Kashim Shettima says the federal government expects Nigerians to express their grievances over the current economic crisis in a responsible and mature way.
Speaking on Saturday at the 29th pre-Ramadan lecture
organised by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Muslim Alumni, Shettima said the
government could have adopted an easier alternative to its recent policies if
the options were viable.
The event was themed “Economic Reforms for Nigeria:
Challenges and Prospects for the Future”.
Shettima, who was presented by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, his special adviser on political matters, said all the options before the President Bola Tinubu-led administration are difficult.
He said the government is left with no choice than to adopt
certain policies which are “more telling on the poor”.
Several states, including Lagos, Imo, Kaduna and Oyo have,
in the past weeks, staged protests to express their reservations over the
hunger and high cost of living in the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also staged a nationwide
mass protest on February 27 over the economic hardship being faced by
Nigerians.
“The consequences of
our past are the stark realities we face today, such as rising cost of living
and pessimism over our prospect to turn round our economy in the direction of
growth and inclusive development,” Shettima said.
“Yet, my brothers and sisters, we do not have the choice of
continuing in the direction that brought us where we are today. We have to fix
this country, and failure to do this is not an option. All the options we have
are difficult and challenging, and they are, without a doubt, more telling on
the poor. If there are easier and reliable alternatives to the policy choices
we have adopted, we wold have adopted them.
“Our administration does not plan to make lives of Nigerians
more difficult. Nor do we intend to deceive fellow citizens that the change in
direction and the expected outcome can be achieved without pain or sacrifices.
“Fellow alumni, I appeal to you to help make space for our
administration to achieve the goal of turning our nation around. As products of
a distinguished institution, we have learnt that progress is only possible if
it is informed by criticism and critical scrutiny. We expect that Nigerians
should express their feelings over our circumstances in a responsible and
mature manner.”
The vice president further said that the federal government
is aware that the forthcoming Ramadan “will come with severe challenges for
most Nigerians”.
He added that as “deeply religious people”, Nigerians
believe in the powers of prayer and faith that God will ease the hardship.
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