The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has firmly dismissed speculations that President Bola Tinubu is under the influence of any cabal, insisting the president makes independent, bold decisions in the best interest of Nigeria.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit in Abuja, Idris said President Tinubu listens to various perspectives but ultimately acts based on his own judgment and commitment to national development.
“You need to study the president very well. You can have your voice; you can say what you want to say; he will listen to you, but his decision is ultimately his own,” Idris stated. The summit was themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far.”
The minister highlighted Tinubu’s leadership style and the sweeping reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as transformational, people-centered, and unprecedented in ambition.
According to Idris, Tinubu inherited a nation at a crossroads and took courageous decisions early in his administration, including the removal of petrol and foreign exchange subsidies, which had cost Nigeria billions annually.
“These were some of the biggest impediments to Nigeria’s progress. True leadership involves taking tough decisions today that will yield lasting benefits,” he added.
Idris pointed to large-scale infrastructure projects now underway, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway, the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Highway.
These roads, spanning over 2,600km, are intended to boost regional trade and connectivity.
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He also cited the Kano-Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway and the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Projects as critical to regional development and reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit.
In the digital space, the minister announced that the government is deploying 90,000km of fiber optic cable across the country to support broadband access, e-governance, digital commerce, and education.
Other key gains listed include 300,000 Nigerian students benefitting from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), launch of a Consumer Credit Scheme for workers, acquisition of over 25 new aircraft and four naval vessels, rescue of nearly 10,000 hostages and neutralization of terrorist threats
Idris also highlighted the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development and Regional Development Commissions to modernize agriculture and foster inclusive zonal growth.
He lauded the recent enactment of the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, which mandates MDAs to prioritize Nigerian-made goods and services in public procurement.
“This is historically unprecedented,” he said. “It lays the foundation for Nigeria’s economic renaissance.”
In closing, the minister reinforced the administration’s message that Renewed Hope is not just a slogan, but a comprehensive blueprint to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.