- Deputy Chief Whip Adewunmi Onanuga urges Nigerians to embrace farming to combat hunger and economic hardship caused by subsidy removal
- Onanuga acknowledges the challenges of subsidy removal but emphasizes the need for patience and strategic solutions to improve the situation
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, has urged Nigerians to embrace farming to alleviate hunger and economic hardship. Onanuga, who represents the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo-North federal constituency, acknowledged that the current economic challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidies, have caused widespread hunger, which affects everyone, including herself.
Popularly known as IJAYA, Onanuga made these remarks while speaking to journalists after the flag-off ceremony for a 22km road project in the Sagamu Local Government area, which she facilitated as part of her constituency efforts.
Onanuga admitted that removing fuel subsidies has been difficult for Nigerians but emphasized the need for patience with the government. She pointed out that previous Nigerian presidents had avoided removing the subsidy due to fear of public backlash.
“Everybody is hungry and angry, but we have to address these issues strategically. A problem that has developed over 20 years cannot be fixed in one year,” Onanuga said.
She continued, “The subsidy removal has been tough on everyone, and it’s not as if some people are benefiting more than others. People are hungry, yes, and I am hungry too. It may not look like it, but the people in my constituency who feel the hardship come back to me, and I have to stretch myself to help them. So, when they are hungry, I am hungry, and when they are angry, I am angry. But we need to compromise and find ways to move forward. One of those ways is to be patient and go with the flow. I’ve encouraged many people in my constituency to take up farming, even if it’s just in their backyard. Let’s move ahead with that.”
Onanuga reiterated that the road project was part of her commitment to fulfilling her campaign promises.
In his remarks, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, called on politicians to genuinely represent the people’s interests and work towards improving their lives. The monarch, represented by the Radanuwa of Idado, Sagamu, Oba Oriyomi Soile, praised Onanuga for facilitating the long-awaited road construction.
“Our lawmaker has done well, and she is making us proud with her commitment to ensuring that this road, which has been in poor condition for so long, is reconstructed for the benefit of all,” the Akarigbo said.