Updated: Osibanjo tells protesting Nigerians, “We hear you loud and clear”

As Nigerians across states of the federation took to the streets to protest Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has assured Nigerians that the government is taking its duty of reviving and setting the economy on the right path, seriously.

Speaking at the consultative forum of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) between the Economic Management Team and the Organised Private Sector on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan, which is to be launched later this month, the acting president noted Nigeria is indeed in a very serious situation even as Nigerians have taken to protests, saying “things are hard”.

According to him, the government is not unaware of the sufferings of citizens in the country even that had taken to the streets to some had embarked on protest.

“We hear you, loud and clear, those who are on the streets protesting the economic situation and even those who are are not, but feel the pain of economic hardship. We hear you loud and clear. You deserve a decent life and and we are working night and day to make life easier” Osinbajo said at the Aso Rock event .

The Acting President noted that the journey out of the damage caused by years of neglect and corruption in the country is bound to be difficult but called for calm and patience from Nigerians urging them to wait for “steadfastly and patiently for the economic change that will come very soon”.

Still speaking at the consultative forum, Osinbajo borrowed the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, when acknowledged the suffering in the land.

“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,” Osinbajo quoted from Buhari.

The Economic Recovery Plan which has fifty-nine strategies will be driven by strong political will, close partnership and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors (especially in the areas of Agriculture, Manufacturing, Solid Minerals, Services, and Infrastructure), as well as a rigorous implementation plan and an effective delivery unit.

On Monday, 6th February, Nigerians took to the streets in Lagos and Abuja to protest the hardship in the country resulting from the government policies.

In Abuja protesters at the unity fountain tower carried different of placards with inscriptions such as “Nigeria is for Us”, “I stand for Nigeria”, “Nepa- Phcn- Disco- we pay for darkness in Nigeria”. among others.

In an interrogative session with the convener of the protest Chidi Odinkalu, he said the protest was borne out of love for the country as “we don’t like the way things are going in the country, the cost of everything is high and even the cost of dying in Nigeria is expensive.

“Nigeria is between the devil and the deep blue sea and the government do not seem to understand” Odinkalu said adding that this is a problem we must try and fix together as Nigerians, not with anyone trying to intimidate us by telling us we cannot do it. This is an act of defiance because the police told us that if we come out today they will shoot at Us, no country gives its policemen guns to shoot the citizens,Thank you”.

In another session with Emma Onwubiko (HURIWA), he said the protest was held by Nigerians from all class irrespective of religion and tribe and they had come out to say the government policies are not working and something should be done to change them.

“The cost of living is too high and no Nigerian should shy away from the protest, we should all come out and fight for our right,” he said.

Activist Aisha Yesuf while addressing the protesters also noted that protest was needed to ensure that the “rights and privileges that the government enjoy should also be enjoyed by every citizen in this country, we want change in Nigeria and if the government cannot give us change they should leave the seat, we need a new Nigeria”.

 Elizabeth Archibong