Mathew Amaechi
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has been lauded as a testament to “visionary and bold leadership” by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Speaking at the inaugural National Dialogue on Citizen Engagement and National Security in Abuja on Tuesday, Idris highlighted significant government achievements, emphasizing their positive impact and the crucial role of national unity in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
The event, themed “One Voice, One Vision: Uniting Perspectives for a Stronger Nigeria,” was organized by the Voice of Nigeria (VON). Minister Idris, in a statement released by his media aide Rabiu Ibrahim, underscored the timely nature of the dialogue as Nigeria stands “at the confluence of purpose and possibility.” He described the forum as more than just a policy discussion, aiming to bridge the gap between national policies and the daily experiences of ordinary citizens.
Idris pointed to a series of transformative initiatives as clear indicators of progress. These include the bold removal of fuel subsidies and comprehensive reforms within the foreign exchange system. He also highlighted substantial investments in road infrastructure, the introduction of a student loan scheme, and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and CreditCorp as key achievements.
“Just last week, we commemorated the second anniversary of the Tinubu administration with ample proof of its monumental positive impact,” the Minister stated, asserting that no previous democratic government had delivered such sweeping reforms within the same timeframe.
Further evidence of the administration’s impact, according to Idris, includes improvements in food prices, intensified efforts to combat insecurity, enhanced local government autonomy, and the creation of new ministries dedicated to regional development and livestock. He noted that these indicators demonstrate that policy implementation is beginning to yield tangible results. “With President Bola Tinubu, the voices are audibly uniting in further support of a man of vision and courage,” he added.
The Minister stressed the inseparable link between national security and national unity, declaring, “There can be no national security without national unity. And there can be no unity without trust.” He also commended VON for its pivotal role in shaping national identity and narratives, extending beyond traditional news broadcasting to reach citizens in multiple languages and across the diaspora.
Idris concluded by calling for collaborative efforts among government, civil society, media, and security agencies, stating that the forum “brings together government, media, civil society, and the security community, not in silos, but in synergy.”
He urged all participants to uphold the values of truth, equity, transparency, and compassion in all aspects of public life.
