The Presidency has said that the country is already on the path of restructuring due to various policies that is being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Senior Special Assistant to the president, Tunde Rahman stated this while receiving award on behalf of his principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos on Thursday.
NADECO chieftain, Chief Ayo Opadokun , Afenifere chieftain, Wale Oshun, Prof. Wole Soyinka were among others who were all honoured alongside the President, Bola Tinubu by Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
At the event which was tagged :”Global Integrity International Award for Democracy, Good Governance and Economic Development,” Tinubu was awarded with courage and resilience in democratic struggle.
Chief Opadokun was awarded with excellence in courage for democratic struggle, Wale Oshun bagged award for excellence in people’s liberation , Nobel Laureate, Prof. Soyinka bagged stainless steel award.
Rahman speaking on behalf of the President on Nigerian economy , democracy and the future of the people , said Tinubu has moved to reset the economy and governance processes, and also reawake the spirit of patriotism in Nigerians by rekindling national values.
Tinubu enjoined state governors across the federation to prioritize agriculture by investing in food crops in order to drive down the current high cost, just as he equally tasked Nigerians in general to play their part by engaging in one form of subsistence farming or the other.
He bemoaned the high cost of food stuff in the country, but he quickly noted that often times, Nigerians appeared to be the architects of their own problem, reflecting on about two trending videos showing a certain quantity of pepper being sold for N500 “compared with what people from other ethnic group also sell for the same amount within our own domain.”
He said, “We will continue to impress it on our state governors who own the lands to invest in agriculture. We must take agriculture as a priority if we want to drive down the high price. The food situation is a challenge to all of us. The government has a responsibility to power agriculture, we also have to engage in some form of subsistence farming. We must play our parts as well.”
Also that, “My appeal goes to our people, we must invest in our country, in our own success and in the success of this administration. Often times we appear to be the architects of our own problems, by making things difficult for ourselves. ”
The president, however, promised that his administration would do all it takes for the average Nigerians to feel the impact of governance, reiterating that Nigeria was no longer bleeding but gradually turning the corner based on his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He flaunted his administration achievement in area of oil production and electricity generation and distribution saying that it was achievable due to various reform and policies being implemented.
“For all those clamoring for restructuring, it has already begins with different reform and policies being implemented”, he mentioned.
In his opening remark, NHRC scribe, Taiwo Adeleye, recalled the struggle for June 12, 1993 poll won by the Late Chief MKO Abiola but which was annulled by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, saying that those being honoured with various awarded, including President Tinubu, played a key role in ensuring that Nigeria attained the democracy now in place.
Adeleye reiterated that June 12 was a lesson in itself and, therefore, the need for old and younger generations to know that “tyranny cannot last,” urging the citizens to always look for accountable leaders to be in charge of the affairs of the country.
He stated, “We are giving the Award to President Tinubu because of the role he played in securing the present democracy for the country, and to remind him that he has to improve the situation in the country to ensure that efforts made by those who voted him were not in vain.”
“The reality is that Nigerians are suffering, Nigerians are not happy. We are appealing to the president, he should look at the present condition and address it,” he pleadingly added.
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