- The Osun Masterminds said that reducing ministerial convoys alone won't solve governance cost issues
- The coalition urged President Bola Tinubu and governors to cut travel expenses to support Nigerians during economic hardship
- Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli criticised public officials for unnecessary spending and called for more empathy toward citizens
The Osun Masterminds (TOM), a coalition of civil societies in Osun State, said that limiting ministerial convoys alone won't adequately address the high costs of governance calling on the President to take further action by reducing travel expenses.
This was disclosed in a statement by the group's Executive Director, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli on Thursday, October 31 in Osogbo, Osun State during the group’s monthly state press conference.
The coalition also urged governors nationwide to cut travel expenses as part of efforts to lower governance costs and support Nigerians during the current economic challenges.
Group emphasises need for political class to prioritise citizens over gain
“We appeal to every public office holder to be more empathic with the people by cutting off unnecessary expenses often characterised by needless and avoidable travels, particularly in the offices of the President, Vice president and the governors of the states.
“Cutting down on the numbers of official vehicles isn’t the only way by which cost of governance can be brought down. The political class can’t be feeding fat at the expense of the hunger of the people,” Oyedokun-Alli stated.
The coalition also appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to confront the existing hardships by employing the higher federal allocation to uplift the quality of life for the community.
Coalition demands urgent action to alleviate poverty in Nigeria, Osun
Oyedokun-Alli further said, “It is deeply disturbing that while the Federal Government is not doing much to alleviate the suffering of the people, the State Governments which are now earning increased Federal allocations, are also not doing anything to make life easier for their people. In Osun here, instead of pursuing accelerated human development policies, we are busy constructing flyovers and arguing over inanities.
“The people of Nigeria and Osun deserve to have a better life than the current hardship that they are battling with. Our people deserve to be happy and live in a society where their dreams and aspirations are allowed to thrive.
“We are again calling on the Federal Government and the Osun State Government, more importantly, to as a matter of urgency, intensify efforts to free the masses from the shackles of poverty. We must work quickly on eradicating hunger and creating opportunities for our people to make legitimate living.”
UN's 82m hungry Nigerians by 2030 is conservative
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United Nations predicted that 82 million Nigerians, about 64% of the country’s population, may go hungry by 2030.
According to the report, several critical factors suggested that the number of Nigerians facing food insecurity could be even higher by 2030.