By AKINWUNMI KING, Lagos

Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, on Tuesday, raised an alarm over the state of Nigeria’s economy, saying the country’s economy is in a state of comatose and may collapse anytime soon.

Adams, therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take a drastic step that can help salvage the economy, maintaining that the president must evolve a strategic approach to save the dwindling economy from imminent collapse.

The National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), while noting that nothing seems to be working in the country at the moment, advised the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, evolve a strategic approach to salvage the economic doldrum facing the country.

He gave this advice, while speaking at the 2022 edition of Grandmothers’ Festival (Odun Awon Iya Agba) held at the Water Front, Marina, Beside Ayetoro Market, in the Epe area of Lagos.

He expressed concern that in recent times, Nigeria has been surviving on foreign loans and the economic hardship is hitting hard on ordinary citizens.

He said, “The recent scarcity and increase in the price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) can only make things worse for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“The proposed increase in the cost of flight tickets nationwide will also add to the suffering of the people.

“Now that people prefer to travel by Air as a result of the high spate of insecurity, it is very unfortunate that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), have resolved to increase the cost of flight tickets nationwide.

“For example, economy flight tickets that sold for N30,000 or N35,000 at a flat rate has been increased to N50,000 nationwide.

“The domestic operators gave reasons for the sudden increase, which according to them, include high cost of jet A1 fuel, forex scarcity, double-digit inflation, increase in ground handling charges, cost of buying and importation of spare parts among others.”

The Aareonakakanfo explained that apart from the aviation sector, other sectors of the Nigerian economy are also suffering, citing that the huge increase in import duty tariff for imported vehicles are taking a heavy toll on businesses and the cost of goods and services. “Both the Small and Medium-scale businesses are mostly affected,” he said.

Speaking on the significance of the Grandmothers’ Festival, Adams explained that mothers are the drivers of our fate in life and therefore there is a need to celebrate them because they are at the centre of our spiritual greatness.

“They wear their spiritual garb in white, red and black. Given their roles in both the physical and spiritual world, they deserve to be celebrated accordingly.

“Grandmothers festival is also a replica of Halloween festival that is celebrated all over the world. But it is sad that we often abuse the witches. We undermine their efforts in this part of the world.

“Meanwhile, in other countries of the world, especially, in Europe and even in Saudi Arabia that are mostly Muslims, they never abuse them. They appease and respect them so that they can always have peace and enjoy the best of life in their respective countries.

“It is unfortunate that most of the problems we experience in Nigeria today are as a result of our pure ignorance,” Adams added. (Daily Independent)

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