Director general of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin, Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu, has described President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday address to the nation as a game changing presidential narrative that offers an opportunity for all inclusive pan-Nigerian dialogue for good governance in the country.
Aremu, while noting that periodic crises are defining features of nation building, said, “What is of relevance are the lessons learnt by the government and the citizens to move the nation forward at every crisis point.”
The former labour leader said Tinubu has made it known in his address that he “heard, loud and clear, understand the pain and frustration that drive the protests”, with a firm commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerian citizens.”
Aremu, therefore, advised that “good statesmanship on the part of the listening president must be complemented with constructive citizenship through social dialogue for good governance.
“I have no doubt that the protesting compatriots also heard the president calling for conversation. Let them seize the window and table all issues to promote good governance”.
He urged the government and citizens not to miss another opportunity to ally repositioning Nigeria for food security, mass job creation and poverty eradication.
He noted that the list of government interventions contained in the president’s address, such as the student loan scheme, improved minimum wage, CNG transport system and improved public revenue, showed that there is already a movement towards good governance.
While condemning the loss of lives and violent attacks on public assets in some states, Aremu urged for the deepening of the democratic process and not its subversion, adding that” given the antics of some misguided youths calling for the return of discredited military dictatorship, it was time for mass literacy campaign on the imperatives of democracy for good governance.”
