From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
In what observers have described as rare show of courage, the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, yesterday, drew the attention of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to the worsening hunger and starvation ravaging the nation as well as the precarious security situation and sent her to tell President Bola Tinubu about them.
“Although we have several means of communicating to the government on our needs and requests, but your way and means is the surest way to tell the president the actual happenings in the country,” the emir told the president’s wife who visited him in Kano.
Tinubu, accompanied by wives of some governors, was in the state for the commissioning of the School of Law building at the Maryam Abacha American University, Kano.
The emir, who spoke through an interpreter, observed there was hunger in the land and prayed the administration to redouble its efforts in tackling the economic challenges afflicting the country.
He admitted that though the challenges did not start with President Tinubu, it has, however, become alarming under his watch.
“The hunger and starvation didn’t start with this government but the situation has become more alarming and needs urgent attention.”
He also urged her to tell Tinubu to address insecurity, saying: “The issue of insecurity is another serious problem we are facing. I know your government inherited it, but something more serious should be done to take care of the threats.”
The monarch enjoined President Tinubu to resolve the controversy surrounding the relocation of some critical departments of the Federal Aviation Authorities of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos.
In her remarks, Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to have patience with the administration in the face of the present economic challenges.
“Despite what is going on, you just hold on, we mean well for this nation; bear with us; we assure Nigerians we are going to work to make sure the fortunes of this nation is better. Things will get better,” she said.
The first lady pledged to do everything humanly possible to advance the fortunes of Nigerians throughout her stay in the Government House.
Tinubu also used to occasion to salute the emir and the people of the state for their support during the electioneering while appreciating the warm reception accorded to her on arrival in the state.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, iIllyasu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended President Tinubu for ordering the release of over 102,000 metric tonnes of grains to ease the food crisis in Nigeria.
He described Tinubu’s gesture as not only kind and compassionate, but an action that depicts the tenets of good leadership and democracy.
Kwankwaso advised the opposition parties to criticise constructively and appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government.
Kwankwaso, the immediate-past commissioner for rural and community development in the state, insisted Tinubu’s directive would certainly crash the high cost of essential commodities in the country.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the government, adding that the government was aware of their plights
Kwankwaso said the Federal Government had already appealed to those hoarding food to make them available to the people so as to ease the situation.
He urged Nigerians to open up their stores, make these commodities available in the interest of our nation.
“There is no point when the whole country is looking for these food stuff, and you are locking up these products so that you make more money and then Nigerians suffer,” he said.