Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has on Friday, November 6, 2020, appealed to Nigerians who feel his administration is inactive and lacks the capacity to carry the country through its turbulent times.
The President made the appeal at a town hall meeting hosted in Ilorin by Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture.
The Minister, while delivering the President’s message, relayed that the President’s administration gives priority to the welfare of the youths and the people in general, disclosing that drastic steps are being taken to put necessary things in place in order to better the lives of many.
The President stressed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic being one of its main impediments which altogether affected the global economy.
The President in his statement said, ‘If we have not done enough or we have not touched everybody, we appeal that you please bear with us.’
The president further revealed that, ‘In the first instance, what we have is less than 60 per cent of the revenue that was available to other governments that came before us.
‘We all know what we suffered during COVID-19, and as we are just trying to recover from this we also faced another crisis.
‘We appeal that you should please assist the government and be patient.’
He also added that, ‘This government is dedicated to serving the people and we will continue to try our best to do so.
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‘I thank you all for your perseverance, understanding and patience.’
Speaking on the agenda to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country, the President emphasised that his administration has put in place many initiatives directed at creating jobs for the youth and reducing poverty among women and vulnerable groups.
He said the government initiated the N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to provide opportunities for the youth.
He also highlighted MSMEs Survival Fund, the N-POWER, N-TECH and N-AGRO respectively, as part of the government’s initiative to provide opportunities for the youths and others.
He also added that, the FG FINTECH created enabling environment for business growth through the use of technology in enhancing financial services.
He buttressed that, millions of farmers, traders, were also empowered under FARMERMONI, TRADERMONI and MARKETMONI, noting that about 1, 000 farmers from the 774 LGAs in the country were empowered under the Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) programme.
Adding that, over 500,000 youths have also benefited from the Graduate Internship Scheme which avails graduates short-term employments.
