What President Tinubu Can Do To Tackle Daunting Nigeria’s Problems

By Ayodele Oni

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has advised President Bola Tinubu to settle down to enable him address mirage of problems confronting Nigerians.

The Association noted that the ongoing economic hardship as well as increasing security challenges across the country have made life unbearable for ordinary Nigerians.

In a statement on Friday by the Secretary General of Northern CAN, Elder Sunday Oibe advised President Bola Tinubu to settle down to tackle the challenges so that the country could bounce back.

It identified the continued decline in the value of the naira and the seeming inability of the government to address the situation which has completely weakened the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians.

The Northern CAN also frowned at increasing cases of insecurity in the country, saying, “The situation is further compounded by escalating insecurity occasioned by rampant killings and kidnapping for ransom.

“Government must take urgent steps to address the depressing economic and escalating security situation in the country.

However, the CAN called on Nigerians to support the present administration to overcome the eight years of “calamity and retrogression of the failed administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari”.

Northern CAN  noted with concern, the inauguration of a security outfit by a tribal group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in Nasarawa state.

“We find the establishment of the security outfit by a group which some of its members are being accused of banditry and kidnapping across the country very disturbing.

“Northern CAN wishes to state in strong terms that allowing any ethno-cultural group to set up a security outfit, is an invitation to anarchy.

“In the interest of peace and security, government should not handle this issue with kid gloves. No ethnic group should be allowed to form an exclusive security outfit”.

“We find the establishment of the security outfit by a group which some of its members are being accused of banditry and kidnapping across the country very disturbing.

“Northern CAN wishes to state in strong terms that allowing any ethno-cultural group to set up a security outfit, is an invitation to anarchy.

“In the interest of peace and security, government should not handle this issue with kid gloves. No ethnic group should be allowed to form an exclusive security outfit”.

On the issue of relocating FAAN and some Departments of CBN from Abuja to Lagos, the statement said, “Northern CAN also wish to comment on the plan relocation of the headquarters of the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) and some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from Abuja to Lagos.

“Since the announcement of the planned relocation, there has been so much noise from some individuals and groups who are opposed to the policy, especially, from the northern part of the country.

“Several individuals and groups in the north, particularly, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Northern Senators as well as several northern groups have been agitating against relocation.

“It is unfortunate that we introduce ethnic and regional sentiments in a harmless policy that is meant to streamline operations and make the agencies more effective and reduce cost. We should learn to look at government policies from an objective point of view rather than from regional and tribal perspectives.

“We call on Nigerians to support the present administration to overcome the eight years of calamity and retrogression of the failed administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari.”