By Our Reporter
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has challenged opposition political leaders to move beyond criticism of government policies and present practical, well-thought-out alternatives to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Yilwatda made the call through Hon. Daniel Rejenieju at the 10th National Assembly Award Dinner Ceremony held on Wednesday at the House of Representatives Complex, National Assembly, Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC National Chairman said many opposition leaders had also pledged during the 2023 general election campaigns to remove the fuel subsidy if elected but failed to present any realistic strategy for cushioning its effects on ordinary Nigerians.
He maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove the subsidy was inevitable, describing the former subsidy regime as fiscally unsustainable and beneficial only to a privileged few at the expense of national development.
“The removal of fuel subsidy was a necessary step to prevent economic collapse. The previous arrangement drained public resources that should have been invested in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical sectors,” he said.
Yilwatda appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, expressing confidence that the current hardship would eventually give way to sustainable economic growth, improved fiscal stability and shared prosperity.
He said true leadership requires the courage to make difficult but necessary decisions, noting that President Tinubu had demonstrated political will by implementing reforms that previous administrations acknowledged were necessary but failed to execute.
According to him, the present economic challenges represent only the short-term consequences of reforms aimed at correcting years of structural distortions in the nation’s economy.
The APC chairman highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the flagship achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the programme has expanded access to tertiary education by providing financial support to millions of students irrespective of ethnic, religious or political backgrounds.
He also argued that the reforms had encouraged greater fiscal discipline among Nigerians by promoting prudent spending, responsible financial planning and increased productivity.
Yilwatda further noted that higher revenue allocations to states and other sub-national governments had improved their ability to pay workers’ salaries, execute infrastructure projects and deliver development programmes to their citizens.
While acknowledging that the reforms had imposed temporary hardships on many Nigerians, he urged citizens to remain patient and united in support of the administration, stressing that meaningful national transformation requires sacrifice, resilience and collective commitment.
The award ceremony also celebrated outstanding public service within the APC leadership.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the Most Outstanding Personal Private Secretary in Nigerian Politics Award to Comrade Jubrin Bancir, the Personal Private Secretary to the APC National Chairman.
The organisers said the award recognised Bancir’s professionalism, dedication, leadership qualities and significant contributions to effective public service.
Similarly, Caroline Omeashem, Secretary in the Office of the APC National Chairman, received the Most Outstanding Award in Confidentiality and Professional Service in recognition of her administrative excellence, discretion and commitment to duty.
According to the organisers, the collaborative efforts of Bancir and Omeashem have contributed significantly to the efficiency and smooth coordination of the Office of the National Chairman.
Yilwatda described the recognition of his aides as evidence of the importance of professionalism, integrity and dedication in strengthening public institutions and promoting effective democratic governance.
Earlier, the convener of the awards, Hon. Uko Miracle, commended President Tinubu and the APC leadership for what he described as notable achievements since assuming office.
He disclosed that his organisation conducted an extensive assessment of the administration’s performance by engaging Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the country, culminating in the publication of a comprehensive magazine documenting the government’s achievements.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Abbas applauded the organisers for promoting excellence in public service and praised the Renewed Hope Agenda for its positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.
She also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to women empowerment and support for small and medium-scale enterprises, describing women’s economic empowerment as a critical component of sustainable national development.
