Following Nigerians’ outcry over the current economic crisis, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a warning against unnecessary lamentation, affirming that every Nigerian is to blame for the catastrophe.
This was contained in a statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, February 5, 2024.
MURIC, however, advocated for patience, a change of mindset, a stoppage of the prevailing culture of waste, hard work, and buying goods made in Nigeria.
The statement partly read, “The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has noted the lamentations over the present economic doldrum. Complaints have been loud and clear from various organizations, regional bodies, opinion leaders, private individuals, etc.
“But we must stop crying over spilt milk. Neither should we continue blaming the government because there is more than enough evidence to show that all these are self-inflicted pains. It is now time to turn inwards and examine ourselves. It is time for sober reflections.
“Things are tough, very tough. That is a fact. But they did not just become tough this morning. Neither should we lay the whole blame on a seven-month old administration. We are all to blame, and we, the people, must take the lion share of the blame. We must face the bitter truths now.
“Many of us exhibit excessive love for luxury and comfort. Ostentation led many to dance on their fathers’ graves. A culture of waste led to the tying of goats to guests’ chairs at social functions. It led to the ‘aso ebi’ syndrome whereby at least two thirds of those who buy it do so on credit. It led to spraying our currency and its concomitant abuse. For some, even thirteen cows are not enough for a single wedding, The venue must also be the most expensive event centre in town because that is the only way the event will be the talk of the town for a long time.
“Our young ones must be creative. Every youth must start something on his own. Cottage industries must spring up in every corner, every alley and every backyard. We must stop strengthening the economies of other countries by buying and consuming foreign goods. We must patronize the little produced locally. We must stop this practice of deliberately hurting our foreign exchange. We must stop idolising the dollar.
“Nigerians should change their lifestyle and orientation. Government must adopt an aggressive ‘back-to-farm’ policy. The citizens must live within their means. Our lawmakers must tackle corruption frontally by making corruption a capital offence: the law of ‘Steal and Die’.
“Before becoming Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu was widely known to be kind hearted and philanthropic, but he will be spoiling us today if he comes out of the villa to plant yam for us. Even Allah, the Supreme Creator who made fishes for us in the ocean will not bring the fish to our kitchen. We must find the hook or net, dig up the bait and find the fish.
“MURIC salutes those who still remain on the farms, tilling the soil to keep the nation’s body and soul together. We doff our hats to modern rice and yam farmers. We must join hands with them if we do not want to die of hunger. We are all to blame for our present woes.”
