Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has reaffirmed the commitment of the current administration to crafting policies that foster national values and orientation among the Nigerian populace. He made this declaration during a grand reception hosted by the Niger State Government to honor prominent political figures from the state on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
The Minister urged state governments to rally behind the Federal Government’s initiative to reorient Nigerians, emphasizing that meaningful development hinges on this collective endeavor. According to Suleiman Haruna, the Deputy Director of the Press at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Minister also emphasized that the ongoing distribution of relief measures across the states would persist until the hardships resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies were adequately addressed.
Alhaji Mohammed Idris underscored the Federal Government’s awareness of the citizens’ needs and highlighted the implementation of an 8-point agenda aimed at tackling prevalent socio-economic challenges and generating employment opportunities for the youth.
In his remarks, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State extended congratulations to those who had secured political positions at both the federal and state levels, urging them to serve as exemplary representatives of the state. He commended the Federal Government’s efforts to alleviate the citizens’ suffering and assured that state governors would play their part in ensuring the equitable distribution of relief measures. The Governor also emphasized the significant potential of Niger State in contributing to the Federal Government’s goal of enhancing prosperity for Nigerians, particularly through its vast arable land, which offers opportunities for agriculture.
The event garnered significant attendance from Nigerians of various political affiliations and included prominent traditional leaders from the state.
Meanwhile, the Minister paid courtesy visits to two former heads of state, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. During these visits, the Minister emphasized the cultural importance of paying respects to elders and acknowledged the pivotal role these statesmen had played in the nation’s history. He also conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to restore Nigeria to its former glory.
General Abdulsalami commended President Tinubu’s administration for completing its first 100 days in office and expressed his confidence in the Minister’s abilities, given his background in the media industry. He encouraged Nigerians to collaborate with the government to address the complex challenges facing the nation, particularly in areas such as the economy, fuel subsidies, and security.
In response to questions from the media, the Minister highlighted the elder statesmen’s consistent advocacy for peace and unity and their commendation of President Tinubu’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in Nigeria. He reiterated President Tinubu’s vision of leveraging Nigeria’s diversity for prosperity and development.
Following these engagements, the Minister has returned to Abuja.
