By KEMI KASUMU
A call has gone to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governors of the 36 States of the Federation not to delay further, the introduction of palliatives that would cushion the effects of economic hardship faced by the people as a result of fuel subsidy removal and cancellation of multiple foreign exchange transactions in Nigeria.
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria made this call in its Sallah message to leaders and citizens of the country.
In the message jointly signed by National Coordinator of the Group Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, and the National Secretary, Dr. Nasir Balogun on Tuesday, the Group maintained that details of the palliatives should be announced and effected soonest, adding that they should cover all segments of the society in order to reduce the hardship being faced across all spectrum of the populace.
On security, the Group commended the President on replacement of the service chiefs and advised that future changes in other areas of governance be done with proper religious balancing to avoid any negative reaction and misconception.
It called on the new Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to quickly revive the process of upscaling the numerical strength of the police, adding that for Nigeria of over 200 million people to have less than half a million police personnel, it is grossly inadequate.
The Group also called on I.G. to instil discipline and patriotism in the rank and file of the Police so that bribery, corruption and lack of diligent prosecution of cases could be reduced to barest minimum.
It also called for an end to misuse of police personnel by the political and business class to the detriment of the security of the masses; warning that the renewed crime-waves in Borno, Plateau, Imo and some parts of Kwara State as worrisome and should be stopped forthwith.
The Group commended the IGP on his effort in raising new tactical squard to deal with re-emerging crimes and urge him to sustain the zeal.
The Media Group used the opportunity of this Sallah period to remind the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of his vow to deal with corruption and all economic crimes and stated that the battle should start now as corruption has been responsible for myriads of economic problems facing Nigeria. It commended him on cancellation of fuel subsidy, mutiple forex exchange, suspension and investigation of Chief Executives of CBN and EFCC, urging him to move further by smashing the cartel alledgedly collecting money for recruitment and placement in the public service and on political appointments.
The Group called on the 36 State Governors in the Country to synergise with the President in fighting corruption, adding that it must not continue ‘to be business as usual’ in the face of serious hardship Nigerians are facing; warning that non-implementation of palliatives to be introduced to cushion the effects of the hardship by the State Governors could backfire.
The Governors must not only pay new salaries when evolved, they should also review upwards pension payments to their senior citizens who are in serious economic hardship now; adding that this Festival of Sacrifice would be of no meaning to them if they fail to do all that the Group has suggested.
Finally, the Group concluded by calling on all Nigerians to always pray for the new Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the State Governors for their success, pointing out that the unpatriotic elements in the Society would always be working against them.
