Elumelu: 90% of Nigerian citizens live in poverty, hardship

Business mogul, Tony Elumelu, has expressed displeasure over the worsening state of the country.

Elumelu, in a string of tweets on his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, lamented that Nigerian leaders failed to provide basic amenities for its citizens, leaving the people to wallow in hardship and poverty.

He further lashed out at Nigerian leaders for the myriad of challenges the citizens are battling every day despite the vast natural resources in the country.

The Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc revealed that he listened to his colleagues’ complaints about power outages, hikes in the price of diesel and food.

The businessman added that he has often said that “access to electricity is critical for development, alleviation of poverty and hardship”.

Elumelu, however, enjoined Nigerians to demand and advocate for leaders that would deliver ahead of the 2023 general election.

He equally advised the citizens to be more vocal about their rights and the 2023 polls.

He wrote: “This morning, I am listening to my colleagues at the office bemoan the very pressing issues that they face everyday in this country, and how things have been getting worse and worse – no electricity for 5 days, hikes in the price of diesel, frightening food inflation, etc.

“How can a country so rich in natural resources have 90% of its citizens living in hardship and poverty? I have often said that access to electricity is critical for our development, alleviation of poverty and hardship. And speaking of security, our people are afraid!

“Businesses are suffering. How can we be losing over 95% of oil production to thieves?

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“Look at the Bonny Terminal that should be receiving over 200k barrels of crude oil daily, instead it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator @Shell to declare force majeure.

“Why are we paying taxes if our security agencies can’t stop this? It is clear that the reason Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!”

Elumelu continued: “Meanwhile, oil producing countries are smiling as their foreign reserves rising. What is Nigeria’s problem? We need to hold our leaders more accountable!

“Elections are coming – security and resources need to be everyone’s agenda – let’s be vocal for our nation’s priority.

“Evil prevails when good people are silent. We need to be vocal about 2023. Let’s focus on Nigeria. Demand and advocate for leaders that deliver.

“In 2023, Nigeria must be on a strong trajectory for progress and development.”

The Star