....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has urged Nigerian leaders to find enduring solutions to the nation’s economic and security challenges, highlighting the growing desperation among citizens.
Speaking during the distribution of grains and food materials to vulnerable individuals in his Yobe North senatorial district, Lawan emphasized that the intervention, organized by his foundation, was designed to provide temporary relief during the festive season.
He explained that such initiatives, while commendable, are insufficient to address the deeper structural issues contributing to widespread poverty and insecurity.
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo, Lawan called for a reduction in the country’s high interest rates, which he argued stifled local businesses and agricultural productivity.
He noted that the current 34 percent interest rate makes it nearly impossible for Nigerian farmers and entrepreneurs to compete globally.
The former Senate president said: “There is need for those of us that can afford it to help those who are in dire need. It is no secret that many Nigerians are in a very desperate situation. This intervention is to give solace and some kind of relief, especially at this festive period.
“Our intention is that these food materials should go down to those who are distressed and vulnerable to the economic situation in the country; and it is not enough. Such an intervention can provide some relief for some time.
“However, our desire and wish is to make every Nigerian self-reliant. Bailouts like this, or stopgap arrangements cannot stop the problems. But, before we reach that destination, we have to do something like this.
“We must also do something to make funds for investment accessible. Today, the interest rate is prohibitive; in fact, it is callous. In other countries, they give half percent of interest rates but today, in this country, it is probably 34 percent when you go to the bank to borrow.
“How would you invest and compete with farmers from countries that give half per cent interest rate? We need to do so much. But before we reach that destination, we must intervene and come in to support our people.”
Lawan expressed optimism about the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, hoping they would bear fruit by 2025.
However, he stressed that state governments must complement federal efforts to ensure impactful governance.
“I’m looking forward to a very successful 2025 that sees an end to all these economic situations we face; and that those economic reforms introduced by the federal government would yield the fruits that we had expected.
“But governance is beyond the federal government. The State governments also have some important and crucial roles to play to complement what the federal government has been doing. Here in Yobe, the state government has been doing very well.
“Recently, it distributed food items to the vulnerable. Whatever we do here is to complement what the state government is doing, and I’ll advocate that every state does it, but this is not the solution,” he noted.
Addressing the plight of farmers in northern regions plagued by insecurity, Lawan decried the devastating impact of banditry on agricultural activities.
“We should start thinking about how to make our farmers go back to the farms. In some States of the North-West, the bandits have made it difficult, if not impossible, for them to go to the farms. Most of the people are peasants who depend on farming.
“Now that they cannot go to the farms, what else will they do?
“So, we must as leaders, work for our farmers to go back to the farms and, not only that, provide the right inputs at the right time to help them get the best yield,” he added.
Lawan concluded by calling for collaborative efforts among leaders to tackle the pressing issues of hunger, insecurity, and economic instability, stressing that only sustainable solutions can restore hope to Nigerians.
