Having listened to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu address to the nation, I have mixed reaction to the President’s address because It is –“we have”, “we had,” same English repeated all over. While I appreciate his acknowledgment of the protests and the concerns of the Nigerian people, I am not comfortable that the address did not provide solutions to the pressing issues we face.
Yes! the President’s commitment to listening and addressing our grievances is reassuring, but it is not enough to simply acknowledge our concerns without offering solutions. Many Nigerians are suffering, and we need more than just words to alleviate our plight.
I would have liked to hear more about the government’s plan to address the root causes of the protests, such as hardship, poverty, inequality, and social injustice.
I am also concerned about the tone of the address, which at times seemed dismissive of the protesters’ demands. The President’s warning against “enemies of democracy” and “unconstitutional agendas” could be perceived as threatening and divisive. This kind of language may further polarize the nation and undermine the legitimate concerns of protesters.
His administration initiatives as rightly mentioned, whilst welcome, seem like piecemeal solutions that may not adequately address the scale of our problems. For instance, the President mentioned the student loan scheme, but what about the quality of education and the lack of jobs for graduates? He talked about infrastructure development, but what about the deplorable state of our roads and healthcare system?
Also, his emphasis on his administration’s achievements, while important, does not alleviate the current suffering of many Nigerians. There’s an increased hunger in the Land. Therefore, We need more than just statistics and achievements; we need tangible improvements in our daily lives.
I hope Mr. President address is followed by convincing actions that demonstrate his commitment to the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians.
Of the truth, in RenewedHope, we need a comprehensive plan to address our pressing challenges, and we need it NOW.
May Nigeria Succeed!
– Abdulkadir Bin Abdulmalik, a Patriotic Citizen, writes from Kogi State, Nigeria.
Email: Abdulmalikabdulkadir@gmail.com
