By Emmanuel Mogbede
A coalition of civil society groups, led by Civil Society for Peace, Security and Development (CSPSD), has appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that gains of its ongoing reforms translate into improved living conditions.
National Coordinator of the group, Dr Kabiru Muhammed, made the appeal while addressing a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, after a solidarity rally to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day.
“We appeal to the federal government to sustain its efforts and ensure that the gains of ongoing reforms translate into improved living conditions, employment opportunities and food security.
“Government should also ensure that the reforms translate into affordable transportation, reliable electricity and better access to education and healthcare,” he said.
Muhammed called on Nigerians to support security agencies with useful information, promote peaceful coexistence and remain committed to national unity.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the country’s security chiefs for their efforts toward restoring peace and strengthening national security.
He said the courage, coordination and operational commitment of the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies and other security formations had contributed to increased pressure on terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal networks.
The group’s national coordinator noted that under Tinubu, security agencies had intensified intelligence-led and technology-driven operations.
This, he said, was with greater emphasis on inter-agency coordination which had helped to drastically reduce all forms of insecurity across the country.
He particularly commended the leadership of the security agencies for taking operational responsibility in addressing emerging threats.
Muhammed noted that Tinubu had continued to provide political direction and additional support for the country’s security architecture.
He added that under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Waidi Shaibu and other security chiefs, security agencies had intensified intelligence-led operations.
He said they had also intensified joint deployments, surveillance, community engagement and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
He welcomed federal government’s investments in infrastructure, education, energy, youth development, technology and economic reforms, describing them as important components of the country’s broader transformation agenda.
“The Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, although accompanied by significant adjustments and hardships for citizens, have been aimed at addressing long-standing structural challenges,” he said.
Muhammed added that the reforms were creating a more sustainable foundation for the delivery of democratic dividends in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also commended the federal government’s infrastructure drive, including ongoing road and rail projects across the country.
According to him, more than 2,700 kilometres of highways and major roads are currently under construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation, alongside ongoing railway modernisation.
The national coordinator said developments in the energy sector also deserved recognition, particularly efforts to expand domestic refining capacity, strengthen the power sector and promote alternative energy initiatives such as compressed natural gas (CNG).
He added that investments in electricity infrastructure, renewable energy and efforts to address legacy debts within the power sector were also ongoing.
On human capital development, Muhammed noted the establishment and expansion of programmes designed to improve access to education, housing, healthcare and economic opportunities.
He specifically acknowledged the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which the presidency said had provided higher education financing to more than 1.5 million students.
Muhammed also noted the federal housing initiatives targetted at expanding access to affordable accommodation and creating employment for Nigerians.
While congratulating Nigerians across the world on the independence anniversary, he expressed optimism that sustained reforms, effective security operations and responsible citizenship would contribute to a safer, stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.(NAN)
EEM/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
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