An activist who is also a lawyer, Madubuachi Idam, has called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize resolving Nigeria’s ongoing electricity crisis.
Idam believes that addressing the recurring collapse of the power grid, particularly during the latter part of 2024, would provide Nigerian youths with better access to opportunities created by social media.
Reacting to the president’s New Year message, Idam criticized Tinubu for failing to match his words with concrete actions. In a statement, the lawyer expressed disappointment in the government’s inability to address the rising fuel prices, which have soared far beyond the levels when Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
Idam acknowledged that President Tinubu had been more focused and clear in his national addresses compared to his predecessor but noted that his promises have not been followed by substantial efforts. He pointed out that despite assurances of renewed hope, the price of fuel has continued to rise, with no significant measures to mitigate the situation.
The activist further lamented that while government-owned refineries have started oil production, fuel prices remain high and petroleum products continue to be scarce in filling stations. He expressed concerns that Tinubu’s New Year message appeared to be filled with vague promises rather than actionable steps.
Idam also emphasized the importance of resolving Nigeria’s electricity issues, urging the government to focus on ensuring a reliable power supply. He believes that if the electricity crisis is addressed, Nigerian youths would be able to focus on the vast opportunities social media provides, rather than waiting for government engagement.
He urged the government to prevent the continued hardship of unemployed youth, who are burdened by the collapsing national grid and soaring fuel prices, stressing the need for practical solutions to restore hope in 2025.
According to Idam: “I commend President Tinubu for outperforming his predecessor in not speaking off the point during national addresses.
“Despite failing to match talks with actions, President Tinubu has continued in his renewed hope assurances with little or no corresponding effort to match his talk with practical actions. It has all been Prophetic declarations and nothing more.
“If not, a man who rode on a renewed hope mantra to gain power when fuel price was less than N200 cannot sit and watch it rise to N1000, except he is now renewing hopelessness.
“Another betrayal of hope would be jubilating that two government owned refineries in Nigeria have now begun oil production and thereafter see fuel price still refusing to crash or that the Petroleum product still remains scarce or invincible in filling stations.
“More concerning is the fact that Mr. President’s new year message sounded more like prophetic declarations which can only be achieved with faith and prayers as no practical steps were revealed in his speech.
“I wish President Tinubu would simply focus and resolve the electricity crisis in Nigeria. If nothing else, Nigerian youths will look away from the government and focus on the barrage of opportunities that social media has presented. Most Nigerian Youths will engage their smart phones instead of seeking to be engaged by the government.
“The federal government must ensure that no Nigerian unemployed youth must be made to face National Grid collapse in 2025 since fuel price has refused to return to where President Buhari left it.”
