Many Nigerians have continued to groan under the increasing level of hardship in the country as the effect of the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu-led administration bites harder.
Venting their frustrations on social media, many lamented the hike in cost of goods and services due to the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popular known as petrol.
Nigerians are also blaming the Tinubu government for its insensitivity and failure to proffer measures that will bring succour to citizens.
Chronicle NG reports that Tinubu in his inaugural speech announced the removal of subsidy on petrol in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.
While some Nigerians have praised the President for taking the bold steps to remove the age long fuel subsidy and devaluation of the naira to unify foreign exchange market, many are raising concerns over the current state of the economy.
On the high cost of goods and services, a Twitter user @IgweOdyssey tweets “Paint of tomatoes is N8,000 in Lekki, Lagos but we will not blame Asiwaju. He is our SW brother. Blaming him will make him look bad”.
Another Twitter user @trendwithola in his tweet said, “Every sane Nigerians wanted Fuel Subsidy Removal, there’s nothing to applaud Tinubu on. The criticism is his bad approach without providing viable plans to cushion the effect first. Using the money wisely is key.”
With the price of petrol projected to rise to a new high of N700 in the month of July, Some other Nigerians are questioning the President’s seriousness to reducing cost of Governance.
Laying reference to the long convoy of vehicles that accompanied the President on his return from his recent France and Uk trip, popular human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong tweeted, “Mr. Bola Tinubu’s convoy in Lagos is another reminder that the political class is not ready to make the sacrifices which they expect from citizens. A nation that has a devastating debt burden shouldn’t be run this way. Those defending the monstrous convoy don’t wish Nigeria well.”
Another twitter user and critic Daniel Regha in his tweet said, “The US President’s motorcade is about 50 vehicles, most times the convoy is just 16 cars; But Tinubu was escorted with over “124 vehicles” in Lagos. U can imagine a leader moving in large convoy while the masses are still protesting against the hike in fuel price. It says a lot”.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria could be saving N400 billion monthly by removing fuel subsidy.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")