A civil society group, The Osun Masterminds, TOM, has expressed concern over escalating insecurity and challenges in Nigeria's power sector.
This is as the group called for urgent government intervention.
TOM Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, spoke during the April ‘State of the State' address on Monday.
Oyedokun-Alli also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of security nationwide.
“We have reached a point where almost no part of the country is safe,”; he warned.
According to Oyedokun-Alli, “incidents of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism have surged alarmingly”. “Today in Nigeria, whole tribes are being decimated in a manner that closely resembles ethnic cleansing,”; he added.
He stated that the government appeared largely unresponsive to these developments.
“We are at a point where we are advising ourselves to resort to self-help, since Government is posturing as though it is unconcerned,”; Oyedokun-Alli added.
He voiced fears that criminal elements would become even more emboldened in the coming months if decisive measures were not taken immediately.
The Osun Masterminds appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act swiftly.
“We are very worried about the weeks and months ahead. We passionately appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to urgently swing into action and secure the lives of Nigerians,”; the group stated.
Oyedokun-Alli urged the President to hold security officials accountable.
“He must, as a matter of urgency, put Service Chiefs on their toes so that we can get desired results
“In addition to the rising insecurity, Nigerians are also contending with worsening power supply, despite an increase in electricity tariffs. Households previously enjoying 16 hours of electricity daily now receive less than three hours.
“It is sad that despite very high tariffs, the state of power supply in Nigeria has worsened in recent times,”; he noted.
The Osun Masterminds also criticised recent public comments made by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, describing them as inaccurate.
“It is quite unfortunate therefore, that the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, recently made public claims that were not only untrue, but also ungodly,”; said Oyedokun-Alli.
The group insisted that the government must move beyond rhetoric and take meaningful steps to address the electricity crisis.
“The President has to act now, to solve the Nation’s power problems,” he stressed.
The worsening electricity situation, the group argued, poses a serious threat to the country’s development.
According to the group, reliable power supply”is essential for fostering true economic growth and improving citizens' quality of life”.
