Lagos state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has enjoined all Nigerians to keep faith with the Buhari administration as it is working hard to tackle myriad of challenges confronting the nation occasioned by 16 years of PDP misrule in the country.
The governor made this appeal at a town hall meeting initiated by the Federal Ministry of Information and culture as part of the activities commemorating one year anniversary of president Muhammad Buhari’s administration held at the Lagos City Hall.
Governor Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, noted that the country’s economy at present is facing challenges, which he attributed to an unexpected decline in the global price of oil and gross mismanagement of the past years, adding that Nigeria felt the advert effect of the dwindling oil prize more than any other country of the world because of its mono economic nature, depending largely on oil as its only source of revenue while ignoring other natural resources it is endowed with.
He expressed optimism that the nation’s economy would grow higher with the current economic diversification and the fight against corruption embarked upon by the President, calling on Nigerians to rise up to the challenge of a nation building by supporting the anti graft crusade of the present administration, saying ’’ no nation in history can survive when corruption and financial recklessness is the order of the day’’
While commending the president on his approach to governance and determination to lay an enduring foundation for a sustainable economic growth that could restore the past glory of the country, the governor listed other achievements of president Muhammed Buhari administration to include reordering of the economy away from its previous catastrophe that it was headed, successful fight against terrorism, corruption and impunity and giving the nation an international recognition among comity of nations.
The governor assured that the gains of all ongoing efforts would soon start to materialize and that Nigerians will soon have cause to smile again, urging relevant government agencies to embark on public enlightenment campaigns to inform and enlighten Nigerians on daily basis government efforts in alleviating their suffering, stressing that what we needed as citizens is patience, understanding and cooperation.
In his opening remarks, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed explained that the town hall meeting was conceived to give the citizens an opportunity to come together to discuss emerging issues in the polity and to create a chance for those in authority to meet the people directly and explain developments in their various departments of government, get a feedback and also seek opinion of the populace on the way forward.
While reeling out areas of achievement of the administration to include defeat of Boko Haram, its successful fight against corruption and diversification of the economy, he assured that the town hall meeting will be held in each of the six geo-political zones and in some key cities.
Six Ministers from the Federal Executive Council were present to highlight achievements and plans of their various ministries and answered questions from invited stakeholders. These included Ministers of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyema, Trade, investment and industry, Mr Okechekwu Enelamah and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola. Others are Hon Minister of Transportation, Hon Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kacikwu.