Written By,
Hon. Yusi Buba

It is out of sheer concern and genuiness of heart that I pen down this piece at this most critical and challenging times in our dear country vis-à-vis policy influenced inflation, increased cost of living and poverty induced insecurity.

Nigeria is a great and blessed Nation, full of God given natural resources, endowed with valuables and the potentials of even being the best Nation on planet earth. But sadly, Nigerians have not benefited fully from the dividends of her resources.

To go further, I must recognized with total sense of sincerity of heart the tireless efforts of our father and leader, the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is making to bring an end to the prevailing and emerging challenges, and his resolute commitment to make lives better for all Nigerians across board. Even in our trying times, Mr. President has committed to deploying initiatives and providing institutional support to implement a range of initiatives aimed at ameliorating the suffering of Nigerians who have been hit by the end of subsidy and multiple exchange rate regimes. This is not the best time to be Nigeria’s President, but Mr. President has continued to demonstrate great courage to provide value-added and principled leadership at this time.

I acknowledge the present challenges and the difficult times it brings to the fore, but even amidst the present difficulties, I strongly encourage we look at the big picture and the better, peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Nigeria we will build together for ourselves and the next generation.

Every Nigerian is aware that one of the most contributory factor to the setback or challenges we are facing today as a nation is the high level of corruption that has bedevilled us as a nation. This and possibly other factors have driven us so far backward to this level hence the present impact on all Nigerians and the economy as it were. It suffices to state that transformation from a bastardized system is not always easy, and just like I have rightly opined and stated, it comes with alot of challenges. While we acknowledge the several challenges, it is important that we trust the process that Mr. President has activated geared towards building back better. I am confident that Mr. President is on the right track to lead us to the promised land. And God’s willing, we shall all smile and enjoy soonest.

While Mr. President is deploying an array of strategies across the different sectors of the economy, it is expedient to ensure that the right team and personnel are onboard and supported to drive the process with courage. Never in the history of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation have we seen such energy, passion and courage demonstrated by Dr. Betta Edu. Over the four months she was on the field reinforcing the message of hope, designing, and implementing humanitarian and poverty reduction Programmes, Nigerians saw nothing but hope for the future. The greater chunk of Nigerians saw great possibilities in the renewed hope aspirations of this government. And it is also important to state that from August 2023 to January 8, 2024, poverty induced insecurity and unrest reduced to a great extent.

Even though it is proper and right for the President to ask Dr. Betta Edu to step aside to allow for seamless investigation into the different allegations that rocked the Ministry from December 2023, we kindly call on Mr. President to ensure the very quickest investigation and having her reinstated to continue with her good, courageous, and selfless efforts towards realizing the renewed hope mandate for Nigerians. There is never a time in the history of Nigeria that principled poverty alleviation interventions is more needed than now. And from the dedication demonstrated by Dr. Betta Edu, I do not think there is a better person to drive this mandate of poverty alleviation to a progressive and results evident conclusion. Her desires, yearnings and efforts to end hunger and make life easy for the common man are invaluable. I can say with much convictions that the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has created a vacuum that has sporadically escalated the current hardship faced by all Nigerians across board.

As we awaits the outcome of the investigations, I will like to convey to our most revered President the plea and cries of the common man at the grassroots to please take action immediately. Investigation of allegation and petitions is not bad at all in progressive governance; but even amidst that, Governance must continue and not be grounded hence why it is important for the investigation of Dr. Betta Edu to be accelerated so she can return to her good works once exonerated from the allegations. Every moment counts. Every other day we delay the process, Nigerians suffer.

I sincerely appreciate the kindheartedness of the President and his tireless efforts to make Nigeria better, I pray for him for more wisdom and ability to transform Nigeria. I believe Nigeria shall be great for all of us.