Economic hardship: ‘I don’t know why South East is quiet’ – Ex-NHIS boss, Yusuf

Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), expressed surprise on Saturday that the South Eastern region of the country has remained relatively quiet despite the worsening economic challenges facing Nigeria.

Yusuf, speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show program, urged the President to take proactive measures, such as purchasing food supplies, flooding the market, and providing food to the people before the situation escalates further.

While reports indicate agitation against increasing hunger, particularly in the South West and Northern parts of the country, Yusuf noted the unusual calm in the South East.

He remarked, “I honestly don’t know why the South East is quiet, uncharacteristically quiet. But the President needs to find out. The North is where I know I live; even my heritage is. The silence in the North is more lethal than anywhere else in the country. And the President needs to listen to that.”

Yusuf emphasized the importance of addressing the silent suffering in the North, stating that the silence there is more concerning than people openly expressing grievances. He urged the President to take heed of the situation, especially with Ramadan approaching, a time when people will be in prayer and in need of food.

In a plea to the President, Yusuf urged immediate action to alleviate the widespread hunger across the nation, stressing the urgency of the situation. He advised against solely relying on advisers and called for substantial funds to be allocated for food supplies without waiting for the governors to act.