The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and help consolidate its achievements.
The minister gave the advice in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Thursday in Abuja.
Idris made the call on Thursday while receiving chairmen of the APC from the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State, who paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja.
He urged the APC leaders to remain united and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
“All of us must join hands with President Bola Tinubu so that he can consolidate on the gains that we have already achieved and put Nigeria on a sound economic footing,” Idris said.
He said Tinubu inherited difficult economic and security situations when he assumed office in May 2023.
According to him, the country’s economic foundation was under severe pressure, while insecurity had adversely affected the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.
“It is very easy to forget where we were coming from, but today that situation has changed significantly,” the minister said.
Idris said the country now had the fiscal headroom to undertake developmental projects across various sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education.
He said that the removal of fuel subsidy had created additional resources for the Federal Government and subnational governments to invest in critical areas of development.
The minister said the administration’s reforms were also restoring investor confidence and improving the capacity of foreign businesses operating in Nigeria to repatriate their earnings.
He highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, noting that federal road construction was ongoing across the country.
On security, Idris acknowledged that challenges remained but said the country was witnessing gradual progress towards the restoration of normalcy.
The minister also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the programme had enabled more than one million young Nigerians to access tertiary education by reducing the financial burden of tuition and upkeep.
He said the Federal Government was expanding opportunities in agriculture, the non-oil sector and solid minerals, while regional development commissions were being used to bring development closer to communities.
Idris urged APC leaders to maintain unity and resolve internal disagreements through dialogue, stressing that the party must remain focused on strengthening the administration and sustaining its development agenda.
Responding, Hon. Hashimu Izom, the Chairman of the APC Chairmen of the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger and head of the delegation, congratulated Idris on his achievements.
Izom appreciated Tinubu for appointing Idris, commending his representation of Niger State at the Federal level.(NAN)
