Aftermath of protest, urgent need for army of intelligentsia to defend government policies, by Kola Amzat

There is no iota of doubt that there are deluge of misconception and misinformation in the public domain deliberately been orchestrated about the government by the band of propagandists, sponsored by opposition groups aimed at emboldening and hardening army of uninformed youths, hoodlums and miscreants to always be at daggers-drawn with the government.

After-all, it’s what the ear heard that would form its opinion!

The above development largely NECESSITATED the destructive protest in very few locations around the country, hijacked by looters and idle minds to wreak havoc and violence in public buildings and historical monuments particularly in the northern parts of the country.

Of course, private buildings were not spared as some notable individuals suffered huge damages to their cherished properties.

It’s no more news that the nation teeming youths have been overwhelmed with falsehood and concocted lies about the government.

They’ve been brainwashed of the humongous sum Senators and House of Reps members are pocketing on monthly basis, as well as hundreds of millions of Naira that accrued to the federal lawmakers as constituents’ allowances.  

Also in the domain of the youths is a false story of huge sums in the regions of billions been accrued to cabinet ministers, as well as top government officials, as well as presidential aides in form of take- homes, un-executed contracts and other benefits on monthly basis.

The purveyors of this misinformation failed to educate their victims (youths) that monthly dues to national assembly members, cabinet ministers, presidential aides and top government officials are direct responsibility and prerogative of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Besides, the mandate of RMAFC is boldly and clearly spelt out and enshrined in 1999 Constitution as amended.

Therefore, for the teeming youths to be on the same pedestal with government with respect to correct, appropriate and undiluted information in the polity, it’s instructive to the process of DE-BRIEFING them of the erroneous beliefs and opinions which they hold very dearly, that is fueling their anger and venom against Tinubu administration.  

They also need to be properly schooled that the only INTERVENTION the present administration can make is to initiate EXECUTIVE BILL to the national assembly in form of constitutional amendment to effect changes in the payment, an initiative that may not sit well with the national assembly members because they’re the major beneficiaries of the present arrangement.

Meanwhile, the wrong information on governance continually been dished out to the uninformed Nigerians has totally eclipse so much initiatives and developmental strides of this administration in the last 15 months.

This is largely due to inefficiency and ineffectiveness of Ministry of Information and National Orientation Agency (NOA), the two key government image makers that have completely been found wanting in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities.

In all facets, Tinubu regime have remarkably performed well since inauguration in May 2023 and there is no justifiable reason whatsoever why the regime should be a subject of doubts and aspersions from Nigerians.

The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of government, has completely turned into a construction site due to several projects in roads, rails, health facilities, and other infrastructures that have been commissioned, as well as presently on-going. While the FCT Monorail Project is set for commissioning, the minister is also relentless to open new chapters.

On the international frontier, the president has doggedly pursued foreign direct investments, enhanced international partnerships and relationship, and showcased Nigeria’s vast opportunities to international community and foreign investors. These efforts have already garnered interest in investments over $30 billion in key sectors of the nation’s economy.

The Federal government have commenced construction work on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning 9 States with two spurs leading to the Northern States at a cost of ₦15.6 trillion. This audacious move is projected to completely optimize awesome benefits along coastal roads across the country.

On defense, the president has given utmost priority to national security, with government significant investments in modernizing and equipping the nation’s security forces. Nigerian Armed Forces have acquired contemporary war equipment including war aircrafts, drones and other modern equipment to combat the scourge of insecurity and criminalities all around the county. Over 4,600 hostages have been freed; more than 9,300 hostiles neutralized; and over 7,000 terrorists and bandits arrested. Establishing N50 billion Pulako Initiative and annual recruiting of 30,000 police personnel are also key initiatives that further underscore the administration’s commitment to a safer Nigeria.

The administration launched the National Agricultural Development Fund with N100 billion to address agricultural financing challenges. Additionally, 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains, and 60,000 metric tonnes of rice through millers were released to vulnerable Nigerians through the 36 state governors and the FCT, in a bid to stabilize food supply. The Central Bank donated 2.15 million bags of fertilizer worth N100 billion to support farming.

On a related note, an estimated ₦309bn was injected into the Nigerian economy through harvest in the last year, as a way of ensuring food security.

The Student Loans Act 2024 highlights the administration’s commitment to broadening education and provide access funds to students in higher institutions to achieve their educational dreams. Furthermore, construction is underway for student hostels with a capacity of 1,600 across 24 tertiary institutions, and N5.1 billion has been approved for 185 research proposals under the TETFUND National Research Fund to promote educational research.

There is also a new Electricity Act 2023 that ended the monopoly of Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) in electricity administration, granting States, Companies and Private Individual’s ample opportunity to participate in the investment in power sector with the latitude to generate, market and transmit electricity with the main purpose of making power supply affordable to millions of Nigerians.

Recently, the government achieved the delineation of electricity system into categories-Band A, Band B, Band C etc, an initiative that has significantly relieved the downtrodden of huge tariffs payment on monthly basis.

The withdrawal of the unsustainable fuel subsidy and the unification of the FOREX market were pivotal steps required to re-direct funds to critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Policy directives that have increased crude oil production to about 1.7 million barrels/day as well as rehabilitation the Port Harcourt refinery, with rehabilitation on-going at Kaduna refinery, as well and on-going construction the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kano Gas Pipeline deserved commendation.

The recent AUTONOMY granted to Local Government Council by the pronouncement of Apex Court is purposed to ensure that Federal Government Authority seamlessly make life more meaningful and abundant at local government level with huge resources that would henceforth be available to LGC authority on monthly basis.

Tinubu administration ingenuity in reducing number of taxes payable by Nigerians in all sectors from 52 to 10, a fantastic initiative that purposed to end the regime of multiple taxation is also an initiative expected to reduce burden of unnecessary tax payment on Nigerians

The government are poised to commence the implementation of more than 133% increase on the minimum wage. 

Launching a N100 billion CNG bus rollout program is also an awesome initiative that would further make life meaningful by enhancing the transportation system across the country.

Federal government have been providing N50 billion in Conditional Grants to one million nano-businesses and a N75 billion fund to support manufacturing enterprises.

The Consumer Credit Scheme has been established to provide Nigerians with access to credit to improve their lives and businesses. Additionally, the Federal Government has launched a microcredit scheme targeting 1.5 million traders and farmers in its first phase.

Another pivotal development in the ongoing efforts to empower and uplift Nigerian youth is the president’s approval to restructure and institutionalize the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund. This crucial instrument supports youth-owned enterprises in priority sectors with N25 billion from the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act and an additional N25 billion from the 2024 Appropriation Act.

A cornerstone of President Tinubu’s strategy is reinforcing anti-corruption institutions, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

It’s CRYSTAL CLEAR that there are so much developmental and awesome initiatives and strategic moves to report about this administration which relevant Agencies have completely turned blind on, either for lack of interest or lack of direction.

Consequent upon the above, it won’t therefore be out of place for the president to urgently consider the engagement of faithful, loyal, cerebral, nimble and very resourceful intelligentsias across the country that would continually interface and interact on TVs and Radio stations, with millions of Nigerians on governmental policies who are been completely black-out of government activities.

As ‘somehow’ as this initiative might seem, it would go a long way in restoring the confidence, goodwill and trust of the citizenry to the government.      

Kola Amzat (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.