By Blessing Chinagorom
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has urged Nigerians to go back to farm, adding that the people shouldn’t depend on greedy traders who are causing surge in price of foodstuffs and commodities, making livelihood to be difficult.
Onanuga who gave the advise when he met with Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) led by the Chairman, Martin Odiete in Abuja on Friday said that cost of living crises exist globally, adding that government is working harder to alleviate the hardship.
According to him, “Currently, things are not working as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants, but I can assure you that in the next twelve months, Nigerians will begin to see the results of the government’s efforts for the country’s benefit.
“Though people complain about hardship, I told the BBC that cost of living crises exist globally. Maybe what is happening in the world is a cycle, and countries will have to go through certain difficulties. 
“We are going through it, but this government is making serious efforts to reduce the hardships faced by our people. For example, a lady showed us a basket of tomatoes being sold for N4,000, and in Lagos, it is N10,000, and in Abuja, it is N8,000.
Adding that, “I bought a basket of mangoes for N1,000 in Ogbomoso but in Lagos, only three mangoes were sold for N1,000. There might be sabotage or profiteering by traders, but the solution is for all of us to engage in agriculture. Let’s start planting something in our yards.
“In 1976, Obasanjo introduced ‘Operation Feed the Nation,’ promoting farming. In 1984, when Buhari came in, there were shortages of rice, milk, and sugar, and the government had to open warehouses to make these items available to people.
“This is not the first time we are going through this kind of crisis. The government is investing in agriculture to make things available and affordable, and as individuals, we also have a role to play.
“I will be starting my farm very soon. Everyone should farm. We don’t need to depend on greedy traders who are making us suffer. This is why I am welcoming all of you to my office in the villa for collaboration. Thank you”, Onanuga said.
The Information and Strategy Adviser to the President assured of commitment to Tinubu’s vision to alleviate Nigerians from the current economic setback facing the country while called on Nigerians to be more patient with the administration.
