Idris, who represented the President at the PUNCH Nigeria Limited 50th Anniversary Public Lecture at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, urged Nigerians to be more patient with the administration, adding that President Tinubu will deliver as promised.
Idris noted that the government understands the pains and sufferings of the Nigerian people and doing all it can to ensure things change for the better across the country very soon.
He said, “We know that there is still insecurity, but it is not as much as what we used to have and we are working to ensure that this is resolved. We know the situation of the economy and how it has affected Nigerians and the administration of President Bola Tinubu is working to ensure that Nigerian citizens have a better life and we ask for Nigerians to be more patient with him.
“I’d love to borrow the words of Professor Soyinka when he visited the President that he doesn’t like to judge anyone until after a year of the administration. I’d also like to request for that of Nigerians, please, give us time.”
The minister also said Tinubu was taking bold steps for the betterment of the country.
He said Tinubu has taken steps like subsidy removal, Oronsaye report implementation among others to ensure Nigerians reap the dividends of democracy.
The PUNCH reports that the fuel subsidy removal and other economic reforms instituted by Tinubu have attracted public censure following the high costs of living, food inflation and other side effects.
The situation compelled the Nigeria Labour Congress to hold a nationwide protest on Tuesday. The Congress also threatened further mass action if the government failed to address the economic crunch within two weeks.
But defending the accompanying effect of the government decisions while speaking on Thursday at the PUNCH 50th anniversary lecture, the minister said, “Nigeria is facing challenging times. This is not new and not peculiar to this country. The Tinubu administration has taken bold steps since its inception.
“Tinubu took bold steps for the benefit of all. He didn’t pretend that it would be fine. The govt took bold steps to turn the economy around for the benefit of all.”
Speaking on PUNCH’s 50th anniversary, the minister commended the company for its dedication and commitment to the Nigerian project.
“It is a story of resilience, trust, hard work and commitment to the Nigeria project,” the minister added.
Tinubu, on Wednesday, appealed for patience from Nigerians over the current economic hardship in the country, giving the assurance that there was light at the end of the tunnel.
The President said he was fully aware and took responsibility for the difficulties Nigerians had been subjected to on account of government policies.
He said he would not complain but welcome all criticisms since he was the one who asked to be Nigeria’s President.
The President spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during his visit to the leader of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti in Akure.
However, addressing public concerns over his economic policies, the President said, “Nigeria will survive the current economic challenges. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I requested the job, and I am not complaining about it. I take full responsibility.”
Founded in March 1973, PUNCH, Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, clocked 50 on March 18 last year but its board of directors moved the 50th-anniversary celebration to this year because the anniversary month fell within an election month and year.
The 50th anniversary is being marked with the 40th anniversary of the passing of PUNCH founding Chairman, the late Chief James Olubunmi Aboderin, who died on February 28, 1984, at the age of 50.
The weeklong activities began last Saturday with a colourful novelty football match at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.
On Wednesday, a three-day photo exhibition, showcasing 50 iconic photographs from PUNCH rich archive, opened at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The gathering of intellectuals and lovers of arts was led by a former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, Steve Ayorinde, who was the curator of the exhibition.
The ceremonies will continue on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where PUNCH will host a black-tie dinner to acknowledge the contributions of its stakeholders to the success of our organisation.
