By TINA TIMOTHY

Writers for Democratic Change (WfDC) has decried the current economic hardship which has led to the spirit of Nigerians being “under immense strain”.

According to a statement on Monday, March 11, 2024, the group lamented that among other things, lack of basic amenities such as food, water and healthcare “are increasingly out of reach for a significant portion of the population” and urged the President “to prioritize the well-being of his fellow Nigerians.”

“The Writers for Democratic Change (WfDC), a collective of Nigerian authors committed to social justice, has expressed deep concern for the escalating hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.

“In the face of a crippled economy, insecurity, and a crumbling infrastructure, the spirit of the Nigerian people is under immense strain.

“Basic necessities like food, clean water, and healthcare are increasingly out of reach for a significant portion of the population.

“The World Bank estimates over 90 million Nigerians, nearly half the population, live below the national poverty line. Inflation continues to soar, eroding the purchasing power of families and pushing more into destitution. Food insecurity is a growing crisis, with millions struggling to consistently put food on the table,” the group stated.

Other concerns of WfDC included insurgency creating a climate of fear, poor quality of education hindering youths’ ability to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development, epileptic power supply hindering economic productivity, and bad roads making transportation and the flow of goods difficult.

The statement continued: “The ongoing insurgency in the northeast and criminal activity across the nation threaten the safety and security of Nigerians. Violence displaces communities, disrupts livelihoods, and creates a climate of fear.

“The Nigerian healthcare system is severely underfunded and overburdened. Access to quality healthcare remains a privilege for the wealthy, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable illnesses and treatable diseases. Public hospitals are often understaffed and lack essential equipment.

“The quality of education suffers due to inadequate funding, overcrowded classrooms, and poorly paid teachers. This jeopardizes the future of young Nigerians, hindering their ability to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.

“Power outages are a daily occurrence, hindering economic productivity.Roads are in disrepair, making transportation and the flow of goods difficult. Access to clean water and sanitation remains a challenge for many communities.”

The group therefore called on President Tinubu to, among other things, “implement economic policies that stimulate job creation, boost agricultural production, and reduce inflation, invest in robust security measures, increase funding for healthcare and education, and prioritize infrastructure development.”

Continuing, the group said: “The Writers for Democratic Change urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the well-being of his fellow Nigerians.

“We call for immediate action on several fronts:

“Implement economic policies that stimulate job creation, boost agricultural production, and reduce inflation.

“Invest in robust security measures to combat insurgency and provide peace and stability across the nation.

“Increase funding for healthcare and education, ensuring quality and accessibility for all Nigerians.

“Prioritize infrastructure development to provide reliable power, improve transportation networks, and facilitate access to clean water and sanitation.”

The group, however, expressed confidence in Nigerians as being creative, determined, resilient and the nation’s greatest resources and subsequently urged the President to “unite the nation and lead Nigeria towards a brighter future.”

“Despite the hardship, the Nigerian spirit remains unbroken. The creativity, determination, and resilience of Nigerians are the nation’s greatest resources. However, these attributes need to be met with strong and decisive leadership.

“President Tinubu has a historic opportunity to unite the nation and lead Nigeria towards a brighter future. We, the Writers for Democratic Change, implore him to prioritize the well-being of his people and offer them the hope they deserve,” the group stated.