An African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Mr Kabiru Saje, has urged government to prioritise agriculture, education, healthcare and other institutional reforms to address the poverty and security challenges currently confronting the country.
Saje, also a media professional, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
He said poverty, hunger and the rising living costs required sustained investment in agriculture, rural infrastructure, affordable transportation and energy stability to guarantee nationwide food security and prosperity.
“The solution is massive investment in agriculture and rural infrastructure. Farmers must become our most valued citizens, while transport costs should be reduced through stable and affordable energy,” he said.
Saje urged the government to redirect funds toward subsidising farm inputs, rebuilding rural roads and ensuring affordable movement of food from producing communities.
He described education as a national security priority, urging increased funding, prompt budget releases, improved teacher welfare and comprehensive interventions in addressing out-of-school children and vocational training.
“Every classroom must remain safe. We cannot abandon young people to idleness and later blame them for embracing crime, violence, drugs or insecurity,” he added.
The media professional advocated strict adherence to constitutional separation of powers, insisting that the executive, the legislature and the judiciary should independently strengthen accountability, transparency and effective democratic governance.
While calling for investigations into alleged irregular government agencies, he urged anti-corruption institutions and lawmakers to ensure accountability, while courts should deliver justice without unnecessary delays.
Saje called for a state of emergency on productivity through stable electricity, creating an enabling environment for small businesses, support for technological innovation and empowerment of youths to create sustainable employment opportunities independently.
He praised Nigerian healthcare workers for their dedication to duty in the face of difficult work environment.
The ADC chieftain stressed the need for greater investment in primary healthcare, malaria prevention, environmental sanitation and equitable allocation of public resources for the welfare and well-being of citizens.
“A healthy workforce remains essential for national prosperity. Resources must strengthen healthcare, and not disappear through wasteful spending, corruption or questionable government expenditures,” he stated.
Saje also urged authorities to recover misappropriated public funds, investigate corruption allegations and uphold transparency, insisting that national survival was depended upon integrity, accountability and responsible governance across public institutions.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NY/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq