• Assures time of prosperity coming soon
By Oluseye Ojo
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday admitted that Nigeria is facing complex socio-economic and political challenges that have culminated into escalating prices of food items and rising cost of living.
However, he assured Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government had been taken pragmatic steps to ensure sustainable progress and prosperity in the country.
Shettima made the disclosure in his remarks, entitled: “Celebrating Excellence, Building Together: Our Commitment To Press Freedom and Media Development in Nigeria,” which he delivered at the 21st edition of The Sun Newspapers Awards, held in at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.
He stated that allocation to states had jumped from N650 billion before the subsidy on petrol was removed, to over N1trillion monthly after the subsidy removal. He added that the administration was ready to implement Pulaku Initiative aimed at addressing the root causes of farmers-herders conflicts.
According to him, “the challenges we face as a nation are complex: from security threats to economic meltdown. These, we admit. To overcome these challenges, we need all hands on deck, particularly the media.”
Shettima, who was represented by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President), stated that the media have a critical role to play in engendering peace and development by promoting unity and understanding, presenting diverse perspectives and fostering constructive dialogue. He added that the media could help bridge divides and build a more cohesive society.
The vice president noted that the present administration had “made significant strides in recent months, from implementing key economic reforms to tackling security challenges and investing in critical infrastructure. We are confident that these initiatives will yield positive results for all Nigerians.
“For instance, the President, on assumption of office, immediately announced the removal of subsidy on petrol. Although this has had a significant impact on the economy, the positive results are becoming glaring.
“In the past months, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has witnessed a significant increase in federal allocation accruing to states. In the aftermath of the subsidy removal, allocation to states has improved from an average of N650billion monthly before the subsidy to over N1trillion monthly post-subsidy.
“In the latest federal allocation, FAAC shared the sum of N1.127 trillion to the federal, states and local governments. The disbursement from FAAC to the Federal Government, states and local government in 2023 reached N15.1 trillion, representing an increase of 29.05 per cent when compared to the figure for 2022.”
Shettima stated further that the government “is commencing the implementation of the Pulaku Initiative, a large-scale resettlement programme aimed at addressing the root causes of farmers-herders conflicts. The initiative will revitalise the affected communities through the construction of residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities.”
He revealed that he inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative last Tuesday in fulfillment of President Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of all Nigerians.
“The Pulaku initiative will initially focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna states.” Speaking on The Sun Awards, Shettima said: “It is with great honour that I stand before you today at The Sun Newspapers Awards, a prestigious event celebrating excellence in Nigerian journalism. I extend my sincere gratitude to the management and staff of The Sun Publishing Limited for inviting me to share this special occasion with you.
“As Vice President, I recognise the vital role the media plays in shaping our nation’s discourse and holding us accountable. You are the watchdogs, the truth-seekers, the voice that informs and empower our citizens. Your dedication to excellence and commitment to the public good are truly commendable.
“Tonight, we celebrate not just the exceptional work of individual journalists and awardees, but also the collective contribution of the media to Nigeria’s progress. As partners in progress, you have the power to shape narratives, foster public discourse, and hold institutions responsible. Your dedication to investigative journalism, balanced reporting, and fact-checking is essential for a thriving democracy.
“In this vein, I want to address the question of how the media can best support the government as partners in progress. The answer lies in collaboration and mutual respect. We, as the government, need the media to beam its searchlight on our successes and failures, holding us to account, and offering constructive criticisms that help us to improve.
“In return, we must ensure transparency and open access to information, fostering an environment where journalists can work freely and safely.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has always championed the quest for a vibrant press. He understands that a free and independent media is essential for a healthy democracy. However, freedom comes with responsibility. We must strive for a media landscape that upholds ethical standards, fact-checks information, and avoids sensationalism. This is crucial in a world increasingly plagued by misinformation and disinformation.
“The path to progress is not always smooth. Again, this we admit. There will be times when the government and the media disagree. But I believe that through open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the well-being of our nation, we can overcome these challenges and build a brighter future for all Nigerians.”