The Nigeria First Project Coalition, a group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has expressed optimism that Nigerians will enjoy more dividends of democracy and good governance in the coming years, based on the accomplishments of President Bola Tinubu’s government in its first year in office.
The coalition’s position is grounded in data gathered through a comprehensive review of critical sectors, including defence, education, housing, social safety net programmes, and anti-corruption, which indicates that President Tinubu has been delivering on his campaign promises.
The coalition commended President Tinubu’s commitment to implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda, despite the negativity and criticism from some politicians and critics.
The coordinator of the coalition, Hamza Umar Saulawa, asserted that the administration’s handling of security challenges has been particularly impressive, with a purposeful inter-agency synergy that has curtailed the hitherto intractable security threats across the country.
This is a marked departure from the entrenched tradition of some politicians who promise one thing before the election and implement another thing after election Salawu said at the coalition’s press conference in Abuja on Sunday.
According to him, with the progress made in various sectors, the administration has shown the will to continue to build on this momentum to deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
He said: “First and foremost, we have seen a paradigm shift in the way and manner the various security agencies work.
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“In achieving the foregoing, we have identified that in the last one year, the office of the National Security Adviser has played an indispensable role.
“This group is also impressed by the performance of Tinubu administration in counterterrorism and Coalition to Nigerians: Expect more dividends of democracy, and good governance from Tinubu in coming years against armed banditry and kidnappings for ransom.
“Our gallant military troops deserve commendation for neutralising bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and rescuing hostages.
“Looking at all the facts and figures regarding the success recorded in the security and defence of our country, our coalition is of the view that the Tinubu government deserves applause, not castigation, and it is on the course of restoring peace and security in Nigeria.”
Salauwa also highlighted the government’s notable achievements in the education sector during its first year, indicating that the sector is on a positive path towards revitalization in the coming years.
He particularly emphasized the significant allocation of N1.54 trillion to the education sector in the 2024 budget, which demonstrates the administration’s commitment to prioritizing education.
Other notable achievements include the focus on teacher education, enhancement of tertiary student welfare, massive expansion of tertiary education infrastructure, and the granting of autonomy to federal tertiary institutions to recruit academic and non-academic staff.
He said these accomplishments within just one year testify to the Renewed Hope administration’s dedication to securing a brighter future for the country.
According to the coalition, the Tinubu administration is showing high commitment to implementing welfare schemes that target the poor and the vulnerable, identifying impactful programmes that have directly and positively touched the lives of the poor and the vulnerable.
These among others, according to him include the wage award to workers for six months, as palliative over fuel subsidy removal; Cash transfer to 15 million poor and vulnerable households for 3 months; the release of 42,000 Metric tonnes of grains to vulnerable persons; the disbursement of N50 billion Presidential conditional grant to traders, food vendors, artisans among others; the establishment of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Scheme with N100 Billion as a take-off fund, to deepen financial inclusion; and the implementation of Skill-up artisans (SUPA) to empower 10 million artisans.
“No doubt these are far-reaching measures that will reduce poverty, and inequality and create employment and wealth in Nigeria”, the Coordinator said.
The coalition also emphasised that the Tinubu administration has fared well in the fight against corruption by sparring no government officials found culpable of any financial or administrative infractions.
The group said the implementation of the Oronsaye report on the reorganization of the Federal civil service as well as the monitoring and evaluation Initiative of the government through the creation of the central delivery coordination unit not only promotes public accountability and transparency but also empowers the citizens in assessing the performance of the Ministries, through the Citizens Delivery Tracker Application
It said: “The Tinubu administration in just one year, has been able to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizens, including Implementing policies that will positively affect not only this generation but also the generation yet unborn.
“There is no doubt about the fact that President Tinubu has delivered, taking into cognizance, all the verifiable projects, programs, and policies that spur sustainable economic growth and development being Implemented in the country.”
