By Omoniyi David
Chairman and CEO of ST. RACHEAL’S Pharmaceutical Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Akinjide Adeosun, has urged the Federal Government to revisit its reform policies to curb hunger, rising transport fares, and soaring rents.
Adeosun, who is also the Founder of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF), made the call during his 57th birthday celebration tagged “Thanksgiving in Freedom” in Lagos.
The event featured a thanksgiving service at All Souls’ Church, Lekki Phase 1, and the unveiling of a food bank for vulnerable groups, including cleaners and security workers.
He stressed that genuine leadership must guarantee people freedom from hardship, hunger, and insecurity.
“Let us look at our reforms again and review where necessary. There is nowhere in the world without some form of subsidy.
“We must urgently address food, transport, and housing costs,” he said.
Commending President Bola Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, Adeosun said government should have anticipated and prepared for the ripple effects of hunger, poverty, and inflation.
He called for increased investment in local manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports and bring down costs.
According to him, Nigeria must transition “from consumption to production,” insisting that palliatives are not a sustainable solution.
He proposed crude oil discounts for local refining companies such as Dangote Refinery to crash petrol prices and tame inflation, while extending similar incentives to flour, cement, and agricultural producers to make basic commodities more affordable.
On economic sabotage, Adeosun recommended stiff penalties, including capital punishment, citing Singapore and China as examples.
He also urged government to prioritize grassroots infrastructure, especially schools and hospitals, to alleviate the burden on citizens.
