By Hadiza Suleman
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr George Akume, Wednesday, urged Nigerians to shelve the planned hunger protests and embrace dialogue.
Akume spoke during a second ‘State of the Nation’ address in Abuja. He said the Tinubu administration was focused on achieving economic prosperity for all Nigerians.
Akume expressed concerns that the protests might be hijacked, saying, “Government is weary of the dangers associated with protests that are vulnerable to being hijacked by bandits.
“We request that dialogue be advanced. The Tinubu administration remains committed to creating an environment where peace and stability are not just aspirations but realities. Nigeria is a work in progress. We shall breathe a sigh of relief. The ongoing economic hardships would abate very soon and we shall all enjoy endless prosperity.
“We urge Nigerians to prioritise peace and progress. The government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection and vigilance should be our watchwords.
“Our appeal is that Nigerians pursue the path of peace, dialogue, and collaboration in addressing the challenges that collectively confront us. Together, we shall create a Nigeria where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but realities; where economic growth is not just a goal but a tangible outcome, and where the dreams of our people are transformed into a shared national destiny.
“Economic prosperity for the nation remains the ultimate goal of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is the engine that drives progress, lifts families from poverty, and builds strong, resilient societies.
“To achieve this goal, we must enjoy peace and stability because it is the cornerstone to build trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. When peace reigns, policies yield results, businesses thrive, investments flourish, and creativity is unleashed.
“This administration at inception in May 2023 inherited an economy in need of urgent, bold, and imaginative reforms. Policy measures including the removal of an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had to be taken. This, it must be admitted has resulted in unexpected adjustments that impacted all facets of the economy and our daily lives.
“The administration similarly inherited a security situation that had existed for two decades and required greater attention in terms of upgrade of security architecture, infrastructure, systems, capability and capacity of personnel. This has compelled a massive infusion of scarce resources from our already dwindling revenue. The objectives have been to secure lives and property, build foreign investors’ confidence, and increase food production by returning our communities to their homes and farmlands in safe and secure environments.
“Tinubu sought the mandate of Nigerians to lead the nation at this difficult time because he knew that effective leadership was required to address the challenges that had accumulated over several years. That was why he sought to renew the hope of Nigerians. Within a space of 14 months of purposeful leadership, the administration has recorded tremendous accomplishments that laid the foundation for the immediate, medium, and long-term prosperity of Nigerians, in an inclusive manner.”
