By Tolu Meduna
Amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges, clear and effective communication between the government and citizens has never been more crucial. To address public concerns and clarify the rationale behind recent Federal Government policies, the Federal Information Managers, embarked on a media tour across major media houses in Lagos on Thursday, August 8, 2024, to advocate for better policy articulation. The tour was led by the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Honorable Minister of Information and Nationality Orientation Mohammed Idris, emphasised the media’s role in accurately communicating Federal Government policies to the public.
The Minister urged media practitioners to engage in responsible reporting, particularly during this sensitive period marked by economic protests both in Nigeria and globally. He explained that Nigeria’s current economic challenges stem from long-standing issues, and that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing transformative policies with long-term benefits, while introducing relief measures aimed at the citizens, especially youth, who make up 76% of the population.
Key initiatives highlighted include:
– Postgraduate Allowance Support
– Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)
– N110B Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF)
– Skill-up Artisan (SUPA) Programme
– Zero Tax on Imported Pharmaceutical Inputs for Pharmaceutical Products
– Zero Duties and Taxes on Imported Food Items to Reduce Prices
– FG Diabetes Dialysis Centers Initiative
– 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme
– Dry Season Farming Project Covering 70,000 Hectares with Irrigation
– N250B Agricultural Fund
– Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (Conversion Centers)
– NDDC Internship Scheme for 10,000 Niger Delta Youths
– Micro and Small Business Loans
-Nano Loans
– Renewed Hope Housing Initiatives
-63 dams construction and redevelopment
The Minister also noted the government’s efforts to reduce Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio, increase foreign reserves, and enhance local governance through the autonomy initiative aimed at improving security and economic development.
Regarding the removal of fuel subsidies, the Minister explained that it was a necessary step, as the subsidy was excluded from the 2023 budget due to its negative impact on the economy. The removal has allowed the government to finance several new initiatives and has contributed to positive economic indicators, such as increased foreign reserves and reduced debt service. The Minister reassured citizens that while these policies are still in their early stages, their benefits will soon be felt across the nation. Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu added that the administration is committed to fostering national values, building a national identity, and holding public servants accountable through the newly inaugurated National Values Charter, which serves as a social contract between the government and the citizens.
The media tour included interactive sessions at various media outlets, where the team, consisting of the Honorable Minister of Information and Orientation Mohammed Idris, Mr. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Mr. Tunde Rahman Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Mr. Temitope Ajayi Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity engaged with top media executives. They were received by Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the THISDAY-ARISE Media Group, at Arise TV, John Momoh, Chairman and CEO of Channels TV, and Victoria Ajayi, CEO and Group Managing Director of TVC. The media houses pledged to engage in responsible reporting, acknowledging their role as key stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
*Tolu Meduna is Public Engagement Executive at National Orientation Agency (NOA), office of the Director General*