Oriontimes Poitical Desk| June 5, 2026 Obokun Local Government, under the strategic leadership of the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Wole Oke, has once again taken the lead in grassroots political mobilisation with the successful inauguration of no fewer than 3,000 canvassers in support of the candidacy of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji ahead of the forthcoming election. The landmark event, held in Ibokun, reflects Hon. Wole Oke’s unwavering commitment to building a formidable, structured, and result-driven campaign architecture capable of delivering victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC). As the political arrowhead of the campaign, Hon. Oke has continued to demonstrate exceptional organisational depth and strategic foresight, with Obokun serving as the operational nucleus of the statewide mobilisation effort. The inauguration marks a critical phase in the campaign’s grassroots engagement strategy, as the canvassers carefully selected across all ...
Former presidential aspirant, Chief CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo, has raised concerns about the staggering cost of living for Nigerians residing in Europe, warning that the multiple bills paid by foreigners abroad are 'choking' and could be redirected toward national development, if Nigeria were fixed.
In an exclusive conversation, Ezendigbo lamented the financial burden borne by many Nigerians in the diaspora, describing it as a direct consequence of Nigeria’s enduring socio-economic dysfunction. He argued that the money spent by Nigerian migrants abroad, on what would otherwise be basic necessities, could instead be used to stimulate development at home, if the right policies and governance structures were in place.
“Every month, we are paying for rent, electricity, gas, water, internet, phone lines, waste collection, even TV licenses in some countries. Add to that compulsory health insurance, transportation passes, and, for those with cars, road tax, fuel, and insurance,” Ezendigbo said.
“And let’s not forget resident permit fees, school charges for children, or language and integration classes. These are non-negotiable in many parts of Europe. The bills are choking,” he emphasized.
He noted that while many of these costs reflect the standard infrastructure of developed nations, they expose the deep contrast between systems that work and those that don't. According to him, most Nigerians would gladly return home or invest heavily in the country if Nigeria could offer basic services in exchange for their hard-earned money.
“Imagine if half of what we spend trying to survive abroad went into Nigeria’s education, healthcare, roads, or electricity sectors. We would have a better country in no time. But people pay in Europe because the system works. There is trust and accountability,” he said.
Ezendigbo argued that this outflow of resources underscores the urgency of fixing Nigeria, through leadership that is people-oriented, reforms that tackle hardship, and institutions that deliver on public expectations.
“People don't leave home because they want to. They leave because home has failed them. Fix Nigeria, and you'll watch billions return, through human capital, remittances, and investments. But first, fix it,” he concluded.
His remarks echo growing sentiments among diaspora communities who, while contributing billions of dollars annually to Nigeria through remittances, continue to grapple with the reality of high living costs and limited economic opportunity back home.
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