Members of the Coalition of Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders, CNENYL, weekend, said that the President Bola Tinubu-led government was making conscious efforts to restore the country’s fortunes.
The youth leaders spoke to journalists after a courtesy visit on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Dr George Akume.
On the trip were Alhaji Yerima Shettima, National Leader, CNENYL and National President Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, represented by Barr Abubakar Kurawa, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike- National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide and CNENYL spokesman, Comrade Eric Oluwale- National President Yoruba Youth Council, Comrade Emmanuel Zopmal- National President Middle Belt Youth Council, Comrade Mike Msuaan- National President Tiv Youth Council, Comrade Madu Baba – National Organizing Secretary Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and Comrade Emmanuel Uzoh.
Okwu, who led the visit on behalf of Shettima, told journalists that the youths had reassuring words from the SGF, stressing that “we have no doubt in our mind that the government means well for the citizens.”
According to him, “just like we mentioned in our speech to the SGF, these problems are not the making of the current administration; they were inherited.
“But the good thing is that the government is making very clear conscious efforts to put the country back on the right track.
“The SGF clearly itemised the efforts the government is making to salvage the situation and we are satisfied and very proud of the government’s initiatives.
“The fuel subsidy removal comes with hardship, but it was inevitable, and that’s why all the presidential candidates promised to remove it if they were elected.
“Like the SGF said, we are already seeing some positives; the Naira is already bouncing back, with even our external reserves appreciating to N34 billion dollars and that is an indication that the government’s efforts are paying off.
“Government is also readying CNG vehicles to ease the burden of transportation on the masses; this will also be complemented with tricycles and other modes of transportation.
“The SGF also highlighted the conditional cash transfer, which is meant to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, abolition of multiple taxation, wage award and of course the new national minimum wage which will be due in June, but will take retrogressive effect from April 1.
“On the part of the youths, we also received assurances on youth empowerment, as we can already see with the Students Loan Scheme, which the government wants to make more beneficial to every youth.
The group appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and hopeful for a better country in the nearest future, stressing “we have passed the worst; things will get to positive notes henceforth.”
He pledged that the youths would continue to support the government and the security agencies towards ensuring that security threats were nipped in the bud.
“We also talked about security and that is where the youths would have to come in.
“The government is working so hard to revive the economy; so, on our part, we have to collaborate and ensure that insecurity does not derail the efforts of the government,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the group equally appealed to the governors and local government chairman to complement the efforts being made by the federal government.
“They are all tiers of government; they should not collect allocation and go to sleep; they ought to do their part towards chasing away poverty and hunger,” Okwu advised.
