By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Osun Civil Societies Coalition on Wednesday called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon World Bank and IMF economic policies, which they claim have worsened the suffering of Nigerians.
According to the OCSC, we are using June 12 occasion to call on President Bola Tinubu to descend from the ladder of the World Bank, IMF and other international institutions influencing his government.
The OCSC, in their hundreds stormed the street of Osogbo, Osun state capital in the morning from Ayetoro junction through Igbonna, Old Garage, Olaiya, and later terminated the possession at the old Governor’s office.
They said, “Currently, Nigerians are going through worsening economic hardship that is creating more poverty and penury. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through its World Bank and IMF teleguided economic policies have continued to unleash hardship on Nigerians.
“The removal of subsidy, increment in electricity tariff and devaluation of Naira have cast a shadow over the economic stability of Nigeria.
“And this is hampering productivity and killing Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, taking away the purchasing power of the Nigerian people, creating hunger, starvation and skyrocketing foodstuffs and essential commodities prices, among other woes. The worst of the agonies is the ongoing food crisis where staple foods have been priced out of the reach of the common people.”
Speaking with journalists, the Chairman, Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal, said the demonstration aimed to convey the people’s dissatisfaction with the current situation in the country to the government.
Lawa said Nigeria citizens are not happy with the present government over poverty level and insecurity in the country.
He explained that “We fought for on June 12, 1993, when Abiola bid farewell to poverty and President Tinubu spoke of renewed hope in 2023. What we are witnessing is not a renewal of hope, but a dashed hope.
“Nigerians deserve a better life, a living wage, and the best, not what we are currently witnessing. The government should brace up to face the challenges of insecurity, hunger, and threats to our lives.
“Tinubu can be proactive enough to provide the good governance that the Nigerian people deserve,” he said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) South West Zone D, Comrade Olutunde Aboke, appealed to President Tinubu to review some of his policies, especially in the education sector.
Aboke said, “The increment of tuition fees in every institution is barbaric. We are here today to tell President Bola Tinubu that the Nigerian masses are tired of some of his decisions.
“We are also appealing to him to come to our rescue in the increment of fuel, foodstuff, and tuition fees.