During an interview on Arise Television, Onanuga cited government initiatives like infrastructure projects, student loans, and credit facilities for workers as evidence of positive change.
Onanuga highlighted recent road projects as a significant enhancement to travel experiences. He shared a personal anecdote about a trip from Ibadan to Lagos, where he was pleasantly surprised by the quality of a newly constructed concrete road in the Ijebu-Ode area, which he had discovered through Google Maps. He noted the change in public sentiment, mentioning that complaints from the locals had ceased due to the improved road conditions.
He further discussed the positive impact of the coastal highway project, indicating that it has considerably reduced travel times. Onanuga shared that his typical travel time to Lagos had decreased markedly from two hours and thirty minutes to one hour and seven minutes, attributing this improvement to the new coastal road. He questioned the validity of the negative narratives surrounding the government’s effectiveness, suggesting these do not capture the tangible benefits experienced by many citizens.
Moreover, the presidential aide emphasized the advantages of the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, which he described as interest-free, allowing parents of university students to access crucial financial support. He also mentioned the availability of low-interest credit options for civil servants, indicating that loans are now accessible at single-digit interest rates, which he believes more people are benefiting from.
Onanuga argued that the current public discourse is largely shaped by negative assumptions that fail to consider these advancements. He referenced a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu administration, which depicted a misconstrued narrative of widespread hunger following the President’s visit to a mosque, noting that this has shaped public perception unfairly.
Despite acknowledging ongoing economic challenges, Onanuga maintained that personal experiences and interactions do not correlate with the widespread narrative of hardship often suggested in public discussions. He expressed confidence in the beneficial impacts of current government initiatives on the populace, emphasizing that the positive developments should also be recognized amidst prevalent critiques.
