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-Highlights Tinubu’s economic reforms strategies
By Bayo Davids
The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru has pledged the readiness of the Federal Government to collaborate with the National Council for Civil Society of Nigeria (NCCSN) to address the security challenges facing the country.
This is just as the Minister lauded the council for keeping faith with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration by shunning the nationwide hunger protest which began across major cities on August 1, 2024.
A statement issued by Mati Ali, the Personal Assistant to the Honourable Minister, revealed that Badaru made the remarks while playing host to NCCSN delegation led by Comrade Johnny Emmanuel, who was in his office on a courtesy visit.
The Minister emphasized the council’s “Strong connections to local communities and ability to provide valuable intelligence, mediation, and humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas,” stating that collaboration with the Ministry of Defence would play a key role in addressing insecurity across the country.
The former Jigawa State Governor assured the delegation that President Tinubu was committed to improving the economy through robust economic policies, which have started yielding positive results.
The statement quoted the Minister as saying that the first quarter of 2024 witnessed the second fasted growing rate of the Nigerian economy in the past six years.
The Minister highlighted several other initiatives, including the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme to increase access to higher education; the Livestock Ministry to address herders and farmers’ clashes and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) to increase funding for infrastructure as some of the Federal Government initiatives aimed at improving the fortunes of the nation.
Others were the sale of crude oil to indigenous refining companies in Naira; the signing of the National Minimum Wage Act into law; the autonomy granted to Local Governments for effective accountability and development; irrigation (Dams and channels); zero tariffs and duties on imports of raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients and distribution of grains to the states as reasons to be optimistic of the good days ahead.
He therefore appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the one year old administration of President Tinubu’s, stressing that the future is assured.
“I am still appealing to Nigerians to be patient as the President is introducing more innovations to improve the economy. He is just one year in office and he has done very well and I know that with these initiatives, we will soon start to see the positive results,” he .
Earlier in his opening remarks, the National President of the National Council of Civil Society of Nigeria, Comrade Johnny Emmanuel, commended the Minister for his outstanding performance and commitment to service.
In his words, Council has been taking track records of the Minister’s achievements since he was a Governor.
He described Badaru as a man with modest life style said that his commitment to judicious use of resources in Jigawa State, which earned him the nick name “Calculator”
The highlight of the event was the presentation of award to the Minister in recognition of his outstanding commitment, patriotism and integrity to service of his fatherland.