Gift Habib, Solomon Odeniyi and Ademola Adegbite
BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
As Nigeria approaches its 64th Independence Day, the Federal Government has lauded the country’s 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, calling it a testament to the will of the Nigerian people to sustain freedom and liberty for future generations.
Speaking at a World Press Briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described Nigeria’s journey since independence as one of resilience, strength, and progress despite numerous challenges.
He emphasised the country’s evolution into a leading force in Africa and a respected voice on the global stage.
“This is a time of reflection, celebration, and renewed hope as we honour the journey of Nigeria, a nation that has demonstrated resilience, strength, capacity, and an unyielding spirit in the face of numerous and daunting challenges.
“Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has evolved from a nation of hope and potential into a leading force on the African continent and a respected voice in the global community. We have faced numerous trials, from political upheavals to economic challenges, but each time, we have risen stronger through our shared, unwavering vision of a united and prosperous country.
“Our democracy, now unbroken for a quarter of a century, stands as a testament to the will of the Nigerian people to attain and sustain freedom and liberty for posterity. Despite some challenges, we have weathered the storm and remained committed to democratic values and showcasing the maturity of our political system,” he said.
Idris commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for initiating transformative reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy despite global challenges.
“Under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, we have initiated transformative policies and reforms aimed at correcting the missteps of the past and repositioning Nigeria as an economic superpower in the near future,” Idris said.
Among the key reforms highlighted was President Tinubu’s push for local government autonomy, an issue that has long hindered rural socio-economic development.
Idris noted that the President had taken the landmark step of seeking a Supreme Court verdict to implement this autonomy, signalling a significant shift towards grassroots governance.
Economic reforms were also a focal point of the briefing. The Minister noted that the removal of the petroleum subsidy had paved the way for Nigeria’s transition to Compressed Natural Gas, reducing transportation costs and attracting significant investment.
Additionally, he said the government was prioritising macroeconomic stability by reforming the tax system, stabilising the foreign exchange regime, and diversifying government revenues.
In the area of education, Idris highlighted the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund through the Student Loans Act of 2024, aimed at making tertiary education more accessible to young Nigerians.
Idris acknowledged the challenges posed by the current economic reforms but reassured Nigerians that the sacrifices being made would soon bear fruit.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. Our sacrifices will not be in vain,” he said.
The briefing also underscored recent successes in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity and the steady decline in inflation while the government continues to support small businesses through grants and financial incentives.
Idris concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain united and committed to building a nation that stands as a beacon for black people worldwide.
He also announced the upcoming implementation of the National Values Charter, which aims to foster moral, ethical, and cultural reawakening.
The event, organised by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Nigeria’s Independence, was chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The press briefing marks the start of a series of events leading up to Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day on October 1, 2024.
In his remarks, the SGF said the Tinubu administration had recorded significant achievements that had positively impacted the daily lives of citizens.
He said, “Before I unveil the approved programme of activities, I wish to mention a few of the accomplishments of this administration that impact our citizens in their daily lives.
“Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR followed through with his promises to ease transportation difficulties of our citizens with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative and the launch of the first phase of thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas
“This is a work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country. The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty per cent when fully operational.
“To encourage conversion to CNG-powered land transportation, the government has also commenced the distribution of CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians. The benefit of the CNG transport system to Nigerians is a huge reduction in cost.”
Akume said the President also gave priority to the growth of the economy through the SMEs.
He added, “By doing so, he has re-focused on strengthening the backbone of our economy by empowering Nigerians to start or grow their businesses.
“The President has similarly repositioned the National Social Investment Programme to effectively address the challenges facing the poor, the vulnerable, the underserved and the elderly. Nigerian workers have also benefited from a newly approved National Minimum Wage. This is coming on the heels of the Wage Award paid to mitigate the plight of the workers.”
Akume added that a total of 22,120 students had benefited from N2.5bn disbursed by the Nigerian Students Loan Fund.
He said, “In the area of human capital development, the Nigerian Students Loan Fund has disbursed the sum of N2.5bn to over 22,120 beneficiaries across higher institutions in the nation. This is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students.
“Insecurity in different parts of the country has been a recurring challenge for successive governments since 1999. This administration has succeeded in elevating the human and institutional capacity of the armed services and other security agencies to tackle these challenges of insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities including kidnapping. This is already yielding results as insurgents and bandits are getting neutralised in large numbers while several others are surrendering to the authorities for deradicalisation. “
Akume noted that the government had learnt from the flood ravaging many states of the country, adding that efforts had been stepped up to prevent a reoccurrence.
He said, “The rainy season has similarly posed its challenges. As a result of climate change and other environmental factors, the country has experienced serious flooding in several states, resulting in fatalities and destruction of infrastructure, personal belongings, shelter, livelihoods, etc. The humanitarian response of the Federal Government has been swift and effective. The government has drawn lessons from the current situation and has stepped up planning and prevention strategies.”
He assured Nigerians that the President was aware of the economic situation of the country, adding that efforts were being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on a short-, medium- and long-term basis.
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2024-09-26