By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo.
Worried by the rising rates of inflation in Nigeria, Nigerians have been advised to stop trading blames over the woe on neither past nor present leadership in the country but come together and proffer solution to the problems.
Member representing Etinan federal constituency in the National Assembly, Elder Samuel Ikon gave the advice while interacting with journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ikon, who noted that the situation is alarming with prices of essential commodities, such as food stuffs skyrocketing in the market by day, appealed to everybody to collectively put energies together devoid of political party affiliation to move the country out of the doldrums.
“This is not a time for anybody to blame any political party over the current economic quackmare but to face issues that affect Nigerians because the situation has gone badly with all. For instance, a bag of rice that was formerly sold between N8,000.00 and N9,000.00 is now N22,000.00. For us to survive, we should keep politic by the side. Our energies should be geared toward resolving the issues, especially as dollar has continued to weight down on our Naira in the forex market”, he observed.
On his constituency’s projects, the lawmaker said that he has in the last one year, rekindled hope for a better tomorrow in the lives of over 1000 persons in Etinan federal constituency through his empowerment programmes. These include, building of houses for selected widows, donation of small business starter packs to some youth after trainings, cars, grants and vocational training kits etc.
He said that as at June this year, no fewer than 200 indigent students in various fields of humanity studying in Nigeria and abroad have benefited from his scholarship scheme, adding that the figure would increase to 500 by the end of this year.
He said that his visit to the state council of NUJ was to thank journalists in the state for the support he enjoyed from them during his period of travail arising from the US sex scandal, describing the time as his period of great challenge.
Responding, the state NUJ chairman, Elder Patrick Albert described Elder Samuel Ikon as a lawmaker who has shown passion of service for others adding that journalists in the state were happy to identify with his programmes.
The NUJ chairman said the council will soon organize a NUJ podium where public office holders in the state will appear and give account of their stewardship in office.
