As Nigeria commemorates its 64th Independence Day, the National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, has urged the Federal Government to take swift economic measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, particularly in light of rising hunger.
The organization is calling on President Bola Tinubu to confront the pressing challenges of insecurity, poverty, deteriorating road conditions, and the alarming number of out-of-school children.
In their Independence Day message, titled “Nigeria@64: Walking on a Tightrope,” NAS, represented by its Capn, Dr. Joseph Oteri, cautioned that the escalating economic crisis could lead to social unrest if not addressed promptly.
He asserted that resorting to the arrest of protesters and charging them with terrorism will not resolve the underlying issues.
The statement highlighted a growing indifference among Nigerians towards Independence Day celebrations, as the public’s disillusionment deepens with unfulfilled promises of progress.
Oteri noted, “Poverty levels are staggering, with 133 million Nigerians—over 60 percent of the population—living in multidimensional poverty, lacking access to essential services like healthcare, education, and housing. This situation underscores the failure of economic policies to protect the most vulnerable members of society.”
He also criticized the surging inflation rates, which reached 33.40 percent in July 2024 and only marginally decreased to 32.15 percent in August.
“Food inflation soared to 40.9 percent in June 2024, driven by the removal of fuel subsidies, rising transportation costs, currency depreciation, and disruptions in food production due to insecurity and climate change,” he stated.
Additionally, Oteri emphasized the urgent need for healthcare reform, noting Nigeria’s poor performance in global health indices and the inadequate quality of its healthcare system.
He called for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and professional training to cultivate a healthier population, which is essential for national development.
(Vanguard)
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