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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Osun State, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has called on government at all levels to urgently address the hardship facing Nigerians.
While urging the federal government to urgently find ways to make life easier for the average citizen, the group also urged state governments—including Osun—to be more proactive in tackling hardship within their jurisdictions.
Speaking at a monthly address held in Osogbo, yesterday, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, Executive Director of TOM, said the hardship in the country has reached an alarming level.
He noted that although government statistics may suggest improvements in macroeconomic indicators, the situation for ordinary Nigerians remains tougher than ever, pointing to food inflation, rising insecurity affecting agricultural areas and food supply, high fuel costs pushing up prices of everyday commodities
Oyedokun-Alli said many civil society groups—including TOM—have repeatedly raised concerns, yet government appears not to be taking decisive steps.
He urged the federal government to work on lowering the cost of fuel and tackling insecurity holistically to protect food supply channels.
He urged state governments to move beyond “procurement” and become “real problem solvers” by creating and implementing policies that directly impact people, especially in areas such as agro production and storage, transportation, health and education.
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He also said states should support greater local government autonomy so local councils can directly address people’s problems.
The group urged all political actors in Osun to respect one another’s choices and carry out campaigns peacefully, stressing that development should remain the main goal.
The Osun Masterminds commended a recent summit of opposition parties in Ibadan, but condemned claims made at the summit that could incite violence or undermine the integrity of INEC.
It also raised questions about unresolved issues in Osun State, including the unresolved staff audit conducted by the consultant Sally Tibbot, saying nothing has been heard about the outcome or resolutions, despite public funds being used.
The group noted that questioned raised on the abandonment of Assembly quarters and the Assembly gate has not been answered, saying these projects have been left for nearly three years without explanation from the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun.
