FG blame current economic woes on consequences of past misdeeds as UMA holds 29th annual Pre Ramadan Lecture

The Federal Government has said that the stark realities today in the country including the rising cost of living and pessimism over prospect for socio-economic growth was the consequences of our past.

It also believe that the road to where we are today was full of missed opportunities and tragic failures to build on the country’s great potentials.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima stated these in a message to the 29th annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture Organized by the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, held at the Main Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka.

The Vice President who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed said the country cannot continue in the past direction adding the new government is prepared to fix Nigeria.

He was of the view that the current economic reforms are difficult, challenging, and without doubt, telling more on the poor.

The Vice president however made it clear that the administration does not plan to make lives more difficult for Nigerians or intended to deceive citizens that the current reforms can be achieved without pain or sacrifices.

Kashim Shettima insists that home grown solutions would be genuinely sought after for the problems and not foreign interests that are counterproductive.

He said government will consider some of the submissions at the annual Pre Ramadan Lecture during review of the economic reforms.

According to him, the President recognizes that this year’s Ramadan fast will come with severe challenges for most Nigerians adding it is a period for sacrifices with deep gratitude to Allah
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He assured that Nigerians would be allowed to express their feelings over the current situation in a responsible and mature manner.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Folashade Ogunshola represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Development Services, Prof Ayodele Asenoa said the school is proud of religious harmony expressing hope the the lecture will ensure Nigerians understand better the policy drive of the federal government.

She said the programme is very significant for it has being sustained for over a quarter of century putting religion side by side with academics.

In the first lecture, Mr Niyi Yusuf who is the Chairman Nigeria Economic Summit Group said it is very difficult to do business in the country with security, kidnapping and climate change challenges.

He attributed most of the problems of the country to structural and corruption without consequences wondering why the problem with Apapa gridlock could not be solved for years.

Niyi Yusuf suggested the need to tackle corruption, inflation, rising debt, erratic power supply, blocking of leakages in NNPCL, FIRS, increae in Agriculture, manufacturing and population explosion for the nation to get it right.

According to him, Nigeria being the 8th largest producers of oil, 32nd in terms of land mass in the world shows that we are blessed with potentials but not well harnessed.

In his Yoruba lecture, Sheikh Dawud Afanla Abdulmajeed Eleha, Mudeer Morkaz Daru Salam, Gbede asked President Tinubu to tell Nigerians where he was headed with the mandate given to him.

He said that the way to rebuild Nigeria must start with everyone and not just pointing accusing fingers to the political class.

The Cleric challenged the nation’s leaders to learn from the way Prophet Muhammed governed during his time with transparency, justice and fairness to all.

One of the contributors to the lecture, Prof Jameelah Yaqub said the country should be wary in taken advise from the World Bank and other international finacial bodies adding that our reforms are always counterproductive.

Chairman of the occassion,
Prof Yusuf Alli represented by Alhaji Sabit Adewale Shonaike said economic reforms must be to improve the well-being of the people and not to impose hardships on them.

He said that the effects of the hardship on Nigerians is unprecedented adding that insecurity ravaging most parts of the country had limited the chances of the people to succeed.

According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the need for economic reforms is very imperative since the government came in less than a year ago adding any reform that does not reduce cost of governance amount to nothing.

He canvassed for strong political will to tackle corruption and greed for economic activities to grow

On his part, rhe President of University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, Prof Khalid Adekoya said government must take critical look at the fiscal and monetary policies in order to reduce the rising economic hardship.

He expressed hope that better times will come if all stakeholders play their part in line with the global best practices.

Prof Adekoya explained that the annual Pre Ramadan Lecture was to educate Muslims on the essence of the 30-day long fast but later focused on the contemporary issues in the country and the globe.

He solicited continued support for all UMA programmes especially the annual Scholarship Award.

In his comments, the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege said that things are tough but believes there will be relief at the end of the economic reforms.

The 29th annual UMA Pre-Ramadan Lecture was titled “Economic Reforms for Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for the Future”.