Osun indigenes have passed a verdict on President Muhammadu Buhari’s usual plea to Nigerians to endure the current hardship as well as his recent declaration that his administration’s change mantra could not be achieved on a bed of roses, but required perseverance and steadfastness.
The state indigenes, who reacted to the president’s call on the citizenry to continue to bear the pains, pending when his administration would bring about the change, took a swipe at his stance, with several of them lamenting that their patience had been stretched beyond the limit.
They urged President Buhari to go the whole hog and take proactive measures by initiating people-oriented economic policies to ameliorate the current hardship in the country.
Market women, artisans, clerics and civil servants, who spoke in Osogbo, lamented that the current inflation that had resulted in outrageous rise in prices of commodities, accommodation, transport an fuel left much to be desired.
They lamented that the hardship had become unbearable and asked the Federal Government to find solution to the quagmire and improve the living conditions of the masses.
A cloths seller, Mrs Paulina Jacobs, who noted that Nigerians were tired of the Federal Government’s complaints, said people were expecting positive actions that could bring about change rather than mere promises.
“For how long are we going to be given excuses? If the price of crude oil has gone down, is there no other way out? Government has to look beyond oil and find another way out of this suffering. Anywhere you go there is lamentation of hunger. Is that how we are going to continue?” she asked rhetorically.
Mrs Balikis Adeniyi who sells sewing materials, while condemning Buhari’s administration, urged the president to urgently implement the Federal Government’s policies and save the economy from the brink of collapse.
She lamented that she had been experiencing low patronage due to abject poverty in the land.
A bread seller, Mrs Nike Arigbede, who also lamented that the price of bread had skyrocketed due to hike in the prices of baking materials, also called on the president to find solution to the scarcity, noting that bread was one of the staple foods of the people.
Mrs Sidikat Abidogun, the leader of Market Women Association at Oroki Market, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, said: “We are unable to buy or sell our products because there is little or no money in circulation.”
She, however, commended Buhari’s goodwill and expressed optimism that Nigeria would be better again.
A pastor, Bisi Olominu who tried to proffer solution, called on the masses to embrace ‘Made in Nigeria’ products, adding that Nigerian youths should also embrace agriculture to eke out a living for themselves and improve the economy.
“I have the belief that Nigeria will soon come out of the current crisis. But, Nigerians must exercise patience as the president said,” Olominu stressed.
Mr Fatunbi Mukaila, a butcher, shared the same view with the president that people should exercise patience, saying change would not be achieved easily in four years. He then called on the people not to distract Buhari’s attention, adding that he was on the right track.
Mr. Rafiu Abdulhameed, a civil servant, who also spoke in favour of Buhari, urged the president to deploy services of economic experts to find solution to the economic crisis.
“I think the president is right to say that change cannot come on a bed of roses because it is not easy to come by. In any case, we expect it urgently. That was why we voted for him massively,” he said.
Ismaila Adedeji, an artisan, who also supported Buhari said: “Let’s not judge the president now. Rather, we should continue praying for the country. Change can not come through Buhari but God.”
President Buhari had during his one-day visit to Osun State last Thursday where he commissioned a multimillion naira state-of-the-art Osogbo Government High School, acknowledged the hardship the citizenry had been experiencing and promised to implement the ruling party’s manifestoes with a view to revamping the economy and entrenching the change he promised to make Nigeria great again.
In his remarks, Buhari, had noted that the change could not be achieved on a bed of roses, but required patience, perseverance and steadfastness.
“We promised the Nigerian people positive and progressive change during our campaigns. We are not and shall not be deterred from that noble undertaking.
“But as we have learnt from history, change has never been attained on a bed of roses, but rather, through patience, perseverance and steadfastness,” the president had said.
“We are quite aware of the pains and inconveniences that have been the lot of the citizenry in the past one year as we strive to faithfully implement our programmes in fulfilment of our change agenda,” he added.
“We are determined to remain on track as we strive to deliver and rescue the country from past mistakes in fulfilment of our promise of improving the conditions of our people and making Nigeria a prosperous country,” he concluded.
Source: TODAY NG
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