Retract your economic policies, it’s unfavourable to Nigerians – Arewa forum tells Tinubu
Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been asked to review his economic policies to reflect positively on vulnerable Nigerians, especially from the northern region.
The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, made the call on Wednesday in a communiqué after its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Kaduna.
ACF, expressing its dissatisfaction with the economic policies of the present administration, decried its worst situation to average Nigerians, noting that northerners were affected by food insecurity, limited access to education and skills training, and reliance on microeconomic activities for survival.
It emphasized that while economic reforms were necessary, they should not worsen poverty or hardship among the citizens they are intended to benefit, adding that the livelihoods of many depend on micro-activities.
“The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic challenges, the policies of the current federal government have continued to worsen matters, with little indication of the needed sensitivity to the precarious existential conditions of Arewa people.
“Succinctly stated, economic reforms, while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. The people may not be alive to reap the putative benefits,” the communique said.
