“Tinubu Urges Patience from Citizens as Political Elites Live Large—Almona Speaks Out”

Babatunji Wusu –

– Almona criticizes Tinubu’s call for patience amid political luxury.
– Emphasizes the disparity between politicians and manufacturers.
– Highlights barriers to youth opportunities due to economic challenges.
– Calls for improved leadership and policies to support business.
– Warns that without action, initiatives like the National Youth Conference may lack effectiveness.

Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has criticized President Bola Tinubu for urging citizens to be patient with his administration while politicians enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. In a Tuesday interview with Arise TV, she expressed that the President’s sincerity is in question, noting that politicians live better than manufacturers who are essential for job creation.

Almona acknowledged that while Nigeria holds numerous opportunities, youth struggle to capitalize on them due to corruption, inflation, high-interest rates, and unfavorable government policies. She stated, “Nigeria is rich with opportunities in various sectors, but the ease of doing business is lacking. Regulation often stifles rather than promotes entrepreneurship, and the high cost of living adds to the challenges.”

She highlighted that despite the potential for growth in areas like agriculture and mining, many companies are leaving Nigeria, exacerbating unemployment. Critically assessing the recently announced National Youth Conference, Almona emphasized that without supportive policies, the conference’s impact would be minimal. She pointed to leadership as a core issue, asserting that meaningful change hinges on improving leadership quality and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Almona concluded, “The private sector is bleeding while political elites remain unaffected by the hardships faced by Nigerians. We need to focus on supporting production to drive economic recovery.”