Nigeria @ 65: Ondo Lawmaker Backs Tinubu, Aiyedatiwa on Economic Reforms, Urges Nigerians to Embrace Opportunities

By Isaac Afolabi

A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Primate Oluwatoyin Allen, has urged Nigerians to support the economic recovery programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as essential for nation-building.

Primate Allen, who represents Ese-Odo Constituency and chairs the House Committee on OSOPADEC, made the appeal while addressing journalists during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

He maintained that the reforms of President Tinubu’s administration were beginning to yield results.

The lawmaker encouraged Nigerians, particularly youths, to embrace hard work by taking advantage of government-backed entrepreneurship initiatives. He stressed the importance of farming, trading, and other business ventures as pathways to self-reliance and productivity.

“Anyone still complaining in today’s Nigeria is someone not engaged in meaningful activity. A farmer who sold a bag of garri for five thousand naira before now sells it for six thousand naira that’s profit. Those lamenting are mostly idle people relying on relatives to survive. We must educate our people to study the system and understand the progress being made,” he said.

Allen acknowledged that citizens were still grappling with economic challenges but noted that the Federal Government had already reduced fuel pump prices from one thousand two hundred naira to about eight hundred naira per litre, while also working to enhance food security.

On governance at the state level, the legislator commended Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for reviving abandoned projects, clearing outstanding salary arrears, and ensuring the inclusion of youths and women in his cabinet.

According to him, the governor had also rehabilitated major roads across Akure, Akoko, Idanre, Owo and other towns, while reducing the salary arrears of polytechnic staff from thirty months to about four months.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s political journey, Allen recalled the sacrifices of nationalists such as Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Tafawa Balewa, lamenting that the military coup led by General Aguiyi Ironsi disrupted the nation’s democratic foundation by imposing a unitary system of government.

Despite past setbacks, he expressed optimism that Nigeria is “moving forward seriously” under President Tinubu, pointing to visible progress in security, education, road construction, and economic recovery.