Northern Yoruba leaders task Tinubu on poverty alleviation

The Association of Yoruba Obas and Leaders in the 19 Northern States and the FCT has called on President Bola Tinubu to increase efforts in tackling poverty across Nigeria. The group's chairman, Alhaji Murtala Adeleke, stated that while economic reforms necessitate patience, the government must ensure the benefits of democracy reach citizens at the grassroots level.

"We wish to encourage the government to do more, particularly in the area of poverty alleviation. We understand that economic reforms require endurance, but we plead that the government do more to bring the dividends of democracy closer to people at the grassroots," Adeleke said after the association's quarterly meeting in Abuja.

Despite concerns about poverty, the association declared its support for the Tinubu administration, citing notable improvements in security, education, fuel supply, and the economy during his three-year tenure. Adeleke mentioned that the group reviewed the nation's state and resolved to back the administration based on its performance in key sectors.

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We wish to encourage the government to do more, particularly in the area of poverty alleviation. We understand that economic reforms require endurance, but we plead that the government do more to bring the dividends of democracy closer to people at the grassroots.

Regarding security, a major concern, especially in the North, Adeleke acknowledged significant improvement under Tinubu, citing recent rescue operations in Kwara, Niger, and Borno states. The group also commended the administration's student financing initiatives for improving access to university education and credited the government with curbing prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The association also noted the capital market's growth from approximately N33tn in 2023 to between N160tn and N170tn currently.

The leaders also highlighted the steady fuel supply across the North, contrasting it with previous periods of scarcity where fuel was sold at inflated black-market prices, sometimes up to N2,500 per liter. However, they also pointed out that local government administrations have not yet fully fulfilled their statutory responsibilities despite the recent approval of their financial autonomy.

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We want to appreciate the President for his leadership role in making this thing happen quietly. We, the Yorubas in the North, are fully in support of the President on this issue of security.