We need peaceful environment to progress in Nigeria – UK Afenifere tells Nigerians

By Clifford Ejenavi

Amidst nationwide protest against bad governance and economic hardship in Nigeria, Afenifere group in the United Kingdom and Europe, has called on fellow Nigerians at home and in diaspora to embrace peace in quest for solutions for workable structure in the country.

The group said there cannot be growth and development in an environment where there is no peace, calling on state Governors to take responsibility for security of lives and properties in their various states to ensure peace. It also called on Nigerians to shun violence protest in demand for good governance, noting that good governance can only be achieved when the Nigerian masses work together in peace and unity for a common purpose.

In a statement issued by the group Secretary, Engr. Anthony Ajayi, on Friday August 9, 2024 in London, the group appeal to President Bola Tinubu and his Economic Team to prioritise welfare of the masses by formulating policies to ease the hardship for peace to reign. It said Nigerians are hungry and angry yet they are not asking for too much except for basic amenities and support programmes they can take advantage of to be productive.

The group commended Nigerians who despite the current hash economic reality remained calm with optimism that things will get better. While appealing to those who are taking the path of violence to desist from it as that will further complicate the situation and hinders the growth and development we seek.

“We are aware that economic downturn is a global issue but our government should take advantage of huge mineral and human resources to make life easier for the masses. This is not the time to play politics with our resources. This is time to cut down cost of governance and bring all Nigerian professionals on board. We are at a point where every decision of the government can either make us or mar us.

“The idea of our government sharing money or food palliatives to cushion, tackle or ameliorate immediate challenges due to long term policies have to stop. The idea has been taken as another means of corruption rather than meet the needs of the people. The Federal Government should allow state governors develop and manage their resources. This will address the issue of laziness among the governors. Governors should be productive enough to cater for their people at that level.

“Insecurity in Nigeria has persisted for too long, therefore, state police is sacrosanct to nail it in a board. The Governors and the locals knows themselves, physical geography and terrain better. Entrusting security of the state to governors will certainly tamed the insecurity. There is no way police structured in the North can secure the entire country particularly Southern Nigeria. Government alone cannot combat insecurity. Everyone must be involved particularly at the local community level where it is rampant.

“We want to commend President Tinubu for some of his initiatives already making Impact. During his nationwide broadcast on Sunday August 4, 2024, the President revealed that N45.6billion has already been processed for payment to students and their respective institutions under the student loan initiative. While the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the body saddled with the responsibility for implementation revealed that over N2.5billion has been disbursed so far as at Friday August 2, 2024.

“NELFUND also revealed that within 24 hours after it announced successful disbursement of N20,000.00 monthly stipends for the month of July to 20,371 students in six tertiary institutions, the fund recorded a total of 9,687 student registrations, of which 7,975 are completed loan applications. With the release of an additional N50billion for NELFUND, the President should be commended in this aspect. I believe more students will take advantage of this opportunity to get university education.

“The President also mentioned the establishment of the Consumer Credit Corporation with over N200billion to help Nigerians to acquire essential products without the need for immediate cash payments to make life easier for millions of households. Additionally, the President said his government has secured $620million under the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE), a programme to empower young people to create millions of IT and technical jobs that will make them globally competitive. While these two programmes looks very interesting, we are yet to feel the impact like the student loan.

“Also, we want to commend the President for the Local Government Autonomy. This was long overdue. We can now hold our local government administrators accountable for their stewardship.

“We call on the federal government to extend flexible programmes to other sectors of the economy. Farmers should be able to have access to grants not loan. If grants are provided to farmers, more people will be encouraged and attracted to farm and this will guarantee us food security. There should be Nigerian Agric Fund to encourage and empower more people to go into agriculture. We have the land, all we need is the encouragement to ignite the will.

“The government should also make fund available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the informal sector where majority of our youth with skills functions. We are talking about roadside mechanics, vulcanisers, hairdressers, tailors, barbers, electricians, phone repairers, bricklayers, etc. Apprenticeship system should be introduced to engage more youth. This sector is capable of taking millions of our youth off the streets because they will become self reliant and feed themselves.

“We also call on the government to take advantage of sports and entertainment industry to engage the youth. Once the youth are properly engaged, insecurity will disappear naturally and there will be peace. The government should be proactive to the plight of the citizens. President Tinubu and his team have the opportunity to make the difference now”, the group said.