Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, voiced his apprehension about the escalating poverty levels in Nigeria, attributing it to the removal of the petrol subsidy by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in Ibadan, Governor Makinde emphasized that the untimely removal of the fuel subsidy has made even a modest amount like N1,000 a significant challenge for the average Nigerian.
During the event, Governor Makinde highlighted the vital role of the government in providing peace and convenience to citizens.
He expressed concern that the removal of the subsidy has adversely affected the purchasing power of Nigerians, noting, “N1,000 has now become a big deal to a common Nigerian because they won’t be able to get more than a loaf of bread with it.”
Makinde urged civil servants to enhance their productivity and acknowledged the challenges ahead. He emphasized the need to address the welfare of civil and public servants in Oyo State while also focusing on developmental projects to improve the overall quality of life.
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Makinde stated, “Government exists to bring peace and convenience to citizens who have trooped out during the election period to perform their civic rights. While we are looking after ourselves to give us what we can live on, we also have to look at the development of the state.”
“Truth is, we have challenges ahead of us and we have to find means to make sure we keep attending to the welfare of the civil and public servants in Oyo State.
“We also need to attend to those projects and those things that will make life more meaningful for our people, which will unleash creativity in them so that we can have a prosperous state. It cannot be a one-sided thing. So, we have to engage, align, and move forward.”
“The Labour leaders should not see the challenges as ‘us versus them’. It is ‘us versus us’ to find a workable solution because we are in a very challenging period. I promise you complete openness so that we can take a decision that will serve the best interest of all of us.”