Former senator representing Ekiti North, Ayo Arise, said President Bola Tinubu has fulfilled about 95 per cent of his campaign promises and deserves a second term to consolidate on his administration’s achievements.
Arise, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, also said Tinubu had turned Nigeria into a massive construction site, with infrastructure projects spread across the 36 states of the federation.
President Bola Tinubu has fulfilled about 95 per cent of his campaign promises and deserves another four-year term to consolidate on these achievements for the overall benefit of Nigerians,” he said.
Arise spoke in Ado-Ekiti while delivering the annual lecture organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, with the theme, “Internal Party Democracy, Good Governance, The Media and The Future of Nigeria Democracy.”
He rated the administration highly in infrastructure, economic revitalisation, agriculture, healthcare and education, saying the scale and quality of ongoing road projects compared favourably with previous administrations.
“Looking at the quality of the roads, all the roads cannot be fixed at the same time. Mr President has turned Nigeria into a construction site, with projects spread across the 36 states of the federation,” Arise said.
“Before this administration, many Nigerian roads were an eyesore, but under this administration, roads are being constructed to last for decades.”
He said the adoption of concrete pavement for some major roads would improve durability and reduce the frequency of reconstruction.
While acknowledging the hardship confronting Nigerians, Arise maintained that some economic indicators showed the economy was gradually improving.
“Despite the hardship Nigerians are experiencing, there are positive indices showing that the economy is on a positive trajectory. Inflation is coming down and Nigeria is gradually regaining the confidence of the international community,” he said.Turning to internal party democracy, the former lawmaker warned that godfatherism, money politics, lack of transparency and weak party institutions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic development.
He urged political parties to respect their constitutions and guidelines and ensure credible membership registers, party structures and primary elections that allow ordinary members to participate in choosing candidates and determining the direction of their parties.
Arise also commended moves by the Federal Government to strengthen local government autonomy, saying direct access to allocations would enable councils to function more effectively and deliver development at the grassroots.
He challenged journalists to remain independent, professional and courageous in holding public officials accountable, warning against allowing the media to become an instrument of political manipulation.
“Journalists must be able to investigate matters of public interest while maintaining the highest standards expected of a profession that carries enormous influence,” he said.Also speaking, Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Adamimogo, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, Sam Olu-Alo, described the media as an indispensable partner in societal development.
Olu-Alo, Patron of the Correspondents’ Chapel and founder of Adamimogo FM, was represented by his Personal Assistant, Deji Ogunbusuyi. He pledged continued support for journalists, saying his relationship with the media was founded on mutual respect and appreciation of their role in informing the public and holding leaders accountable.
Ekiti State NUJ Chairman, Kayode Babatuyi, called on governments at all levels to improve journalists’ remuneration, welfare and access to working tools, while commending the state government for providing an enabling environment for media practice.Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Raphael Ogbonnaiye, said the lecture provided a platform for examining societal challenges and proffering solutions.
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Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti State Governor, Yinka Oyebode, represented by Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Odunayo Ogunmola, also commended the chapel for its contribution to the development of the state through professional and balanced reportage.
Cc: The Sun Nigeria