In a recent interview, Lagos-based constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Jide Ologun, stressed the imperative nature of the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government’s top priority in 2024: reversing the country’s prevailing inflationary trend. Ologun, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ikeja Branch, expressed this view during a discussion in Lagos.
Ologun lauded Tinubu’s New Year’s Day broadcast, deeming it promising in terms of communicative value. He emphasized the necessity for transformative reforms aimed at significantly reducing citizens’ hardship and reversing the inflationary trend. Ologun urged for tangible action, emphasizing the need for leadership to reflect economic realities by demonstrating austerity and calling for citizen sacrifice to forge a strong emotional connection.
Highlighting the importance of economic performance, Ologun referenced the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). He cited Section 16, which mandates the state to harness national resources, promote prosperity, and foster an efficient, dynamic, and self-reliant economy. Additionally, Ologun referred to subsection (2) of this section, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to ensure balanced economic development, fair resource distribution, and provision of essential welfare benefits for all citizens.
Ologun expressed optimism for the nation’s future, entrusting the President to seize the moment and steer the nation towards greater prosperity. He called upon the President to address the hardships faced by citizens and work towards dismantling the obstacles to national progress, ultimately creating common wealth for the benefit of all Nigerians.
President Tinubu, in his recent broadcast, pledged diligent efforts by his government to ensure tangible impacts on every Nigerian. He also outlined his administration’s groundwork for economic recovery, emphasizing its commitment to this objective.
As Nigerians await tangible actions to address the country’s economic challenges, Ologun’s counsel serves as a reminder of the pertinent issues facing the nation. With hopes raised and expectations set high, the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the leadership to deliver on these promises and lead the nation towards greater prosperity and well-being.
