The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, on Saturday, called on President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to be wary of the recent advice of the World Bank, in which it prescribed the reduction in government’s support for social services in Nigeria.
World Bank Group’s Senior Vice President, Indermit Gill, had at a programme early this week in Abuja, referred to the withdrawal of support being provided by the government for social and economic programmes in Nigeria and the floating of the Naira.
Gill spoke at the three-day Summit of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) that started on Monday, October 14th.
The Bank’s boss said the results of the current efforts would be seen in 10 to 15 years.
Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, urged the federal government to be wary of the advice.
In a statement he signed, Ajayi said: “Firstly, the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would have run its terms before the 10 to 15 years the presumed dividends of the World Bank prescriptions will manifest.
“Meaning that this administration may then only be remembered for the sacrifices made by the people and the attendant sufferings while another administration would take the credit for the dividends – if at all.
“So, rather than continuing with the Bank’s policies, resort should be made to policies that boost local businesses and encourage local initiatives thus reducing dependence on imported goods.”