Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to be conscious of the current socio-economic realities which many Nigerians are combating with, amidst rising inflation.
Kemi, a Nigerian in diaspora is the convener of Asiwaju Renewed Hope (ARH’23), one of the support groups during the last February 2023 presidential election.
She noted that although President Tinubu is still on course with his renewed hope agenda but added that she’s worried about the painful hardship of the people and urged the President to initiate and implement strategies that would alleviate the plight of the suffering Nigerians.
In a statement she personally signed and made available to the media late Wednesday, she tasked the President not to allow sycophants to hoodwink him with lies, but to stay focused on the Renewed Hope agenda just as he did when he held sway as Lagos State Governor for eight consecutive years.
“There is no better time than this to passionately offer an advice to our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, not to listen to sycophants that are surrounding him, who will only be telling him that all is well with Nigerians. He should drop such aides like hot potato. The expectations of Nigerians are very high therefore the President must work with only those who share in his dreams and aspirations to make Nigeria greater.
“Mr President should also engage in thorough national assessment, find a way of reaching out to the vulnerable segments of the society who are suffering, he needs to move around and know exactly what is happening in town. He must be sure of what is happening to the people especially at grassroots level and make a decision on how to mitigate their socio-economic challenges amidst rising inflation. Many Nigerians are languishing in abject poverty and penury. Meanwhile, I do not think sharing of palliatives materials or cash could engender an enduring solution, government must look inwards and find a lasting solution to the current scourge bedeviling the land.
She added: “Without sounding immodest, there is need for government to create an enabling environment that is good for businesses to flourish with the capacity to attract foreign direct investments, while also stemming the tide of insecurity across the six geopolitical zones of the country. Government should also create facilities that will enable people to do business by making funds or facilities available, where people who genuinely need loans can access and at an interest rate that is reasonable and investment-friendly.
“Moreover, this new year 2024, our visionary President should also work hard to make the Naira appreciate in value. The situation with the forex is very disturbing, Government and its economic team should urgently nip the situation in the bud. The rate of naira to the dollar is too high and very bad, it is not helping business owners at all.
However, while we are appreciative of the fact that this Government made do its promise, the Port Harcourt refinery is now coming on stream and hopefully, the Dangote Refinery will soon be on stream, these latest interventions will bring respite to the people to a large extent in terms of availability and affordability of Petroleum products; the government should as well work on the other moribund refineries and make sure they work in the nick of time.
“He (Mr. President) has to do a lot of things more visibly, accountably and transparently. He must reshuffle his cabinet if need be, to attain accelerated achievements in his four years in office.
“I am hoping and praying that President Tinubu will correct the errors of the successive administrations. With his indelible records as the leader of APC who coordinated South-West for victory politically, I’m anticipating he will undoubtedly make Nigeria greater again and silence all his vitupetative critics. I wish Nigeria and Mr. president a prosperous and fruitful 2024”. Kemi stated.