The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev Israel Akanji has written a formal letter to President Bola Tinubu following the End Bad Governance protest that began in the country on August 1
In the letter dated August 1, Akanji said it became expedient for him to write President Tinubu because of the ongoing protest which he feared may be hijacked by hoodlums.
Akanji in the letter which is more of suggestions itemised 15 things government at all levels should do including asking the government to speak to the people.
They include that the three tiers of “the government have to accept and acknowledge the fact that there is hardship in the land and come up with realistic ways of leading the nation out of the problems at such a time as this.”
- The government should be seen to be appealing to the people of our country for more patience as they work assiduously to engage and ameliorate the hardship in the land. The current palliatives being released can be likened to only a drop in the mighty ocean of our problems.
- The government should further address the security situation in the country to return farmers to their farms to curb food insecurity in the country.
- Government at all levels should mobilise our teaming Youths with incentives to make farming attractive before the rainy season ceases. They should also assist directly in bringing back the culture of storing farm produce in the silos nationwide.
- The government should create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the teaming, intelligent, and energetic youths of our country.
- The government should bring tax holidays and other incentives to the industrial and business sectors, particularly to bring back all small and big industries that have left the country. This will generate massive employment.
- The government should revisit the fuel subsidy removal by significantly reducing the current price of all fuel products in the country.
- The government should direct the Apex Bank to rescue the Naira from unending depreciation. No country allows her currency to fade away.
- Government at all levels should follow the footsteps of the House of Representatives that reduced the wages of its members. FEC should also do the same if the number of the cabinet cannot be reduced.
- The lifestyles of our political office holders should reflect the reality on the ground in the nation in the areas of emoluments and benefits.
- Governments at all levels should be carrying the traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders along, before introducing policies that can trigger protests. Doing so after things have gone out of hand is an indication of repeating past mistakes.
- The government at all levels should facilitate dialogue with all stakeholders to douse the current tension in the country.
- The government should take all early warning signals of danger seriously. If the cries and calls of the masses had been respected and given the urgent attention they deserved, we are not likely to get to the level we now have reached. 14. Government, through its numerous hands, must maintain constant communication with the people of our country, to explain situations and answer questions being asked. Silence, when speech is needed, is not helpful for our generation, which constantly thrives on information. Therefore, all levels of government must seek to utilize their opportunities to address the people of our country.
- Even now, it is expedient that the Government should speak to the people. The people are eager to hear.