In the midst of challenging economic times, Nigerians are being called upon to exercise patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with promises of positive change for citizens in the near future.
Hajia Nimota Goroso Giwa, a passionate advocate for women’s welfare and the Executive Director of the International Women Communication Centre (IWCC), made this appeal during an interview with journalists in Ilorin.
Giwa emphasized the need for Nigerians to give President Tinubu time to showcase his passion and preparedness for the job, affirming his ability to transform the country’s fortunes. She stated, “I urge all Nigerians to be patient with him (Tinubu). I see him as a dedicated leader who has the zeal to bring about positive change. Let’s wait and see what he has in store for us. He is ready for the job, but we must grant him the time to deliver.”
Tinubu Inherited a Troubled Economy
Furthermore, Giwa noted that President Tinubu took over an ailing economy, replete with numerous challenges. Despite this, he approaches his role with ambitious goals and unwavering passion. When an individual possesses such passion, they go above and beyond to make an impact.
“I have observed that leaders around the world strive for success; failure is not an option. However, they are often misguided and misinformed by sycophants who paint an inaccurate picture. These are some challenges faced by our leaders,” Giwa added.
The Executive Director also urged the Federal Government to redirect its focus from palliative programs and instead promote agricultural practices amongst the population to enhance food security in the country.
Her words were explicit: “Our country needs a thriving economy, not just the distribution of raw food. Rather than sharing handouts like beggars, the government should distribute seeds to empower the people. Let us remember the ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ initiative of the past; now, what we truly require is ‘Operation Feed Yourself.’
“By encouraging civil servants to grow their own food, rather than relying on palliative measures, we provide them with the opportunity to feed themselves. When everyone engages in food production, market demand decreases, resulting in a surplus of food,” she further explained.
Addressing the prevalent insecurity in the nation, Giwa advocated for increased investment in community policing by the Federal Government, along with the active involvement of traditional rulers.
“Insecurity poses a significant challenge to agriculture and food production. Therefore, I implore the government to invest more in community policing and empower traditional rulers to police their communities. They are the custodians of these communities, with an intricate understanding of their people and localities,” Giwa stressed.
“To combat insecurity effectively, the government should collaborate with traditional rulers and civil society organizations to launch a ‘know your neighbour’ campaign and adopt the ‘see something, say something’ approach. These are standard practices in developed countries, and we too must be vigilant,” she emphasized.
Furthermore, the activist attributed the escalating security challenges in Nigeria to high levels of unemployment among the youth. She urged the government to address this perennial issue.
Giwa declared, “The government is merely skimming the surface when it comes to addressing security concerns. To truly tackle this issue, we must address its root causes, such as unemployment, lack of youth engagement, and poverty rates. If the government is serious about curbing insecurity, they must address the problem of unemployment.”
Giwa went on to express deep concern about the alarming rate of unemployment in the country, particularly among fresh university graduates entering the job market. She fervently prayed that every parent would reap the rewards of their hard work.
