The Sunday address to the nation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been described as a game-changer which offered a unique opportunity for an inclusive Pan-Nigerian dialogue to ensure good governance.
The Director General of the premier Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Mr. Issa Aremu, stated this in a statement in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Aremu said that while periodic crises are defining features of nation building, “what is of relevance are the lessons learnt by both the government and the citizens to move the nation forward at every crisis point”.
The DG was particularly ecstatic that the President came out boldly in his address that he had heard loud and clear, understood the pain and frustration that drove the protests, with a firm commitment from him to addressing the concerns of the populace.
Aremu, therefore, admonished all Nigerians to reciprocate and complement the “good statesmanship on the part of the listening President with constructive citizenship through social dialogue for good governance.”
He added: “I have no doubt that the protesting compatriots also heard the President calling for conversation, let them seize the window and table all issues to promote good governance.
“I urge both the government and the citizens not to miss another golden opportunity to forge an alliance to reposition Nigeria for food security, mass job creation and poverty eradication, among others.”
Going by the list of government interventions as contained in the President’s address, including students loan scheme, improved minimum wage, CNG transport system and improved public revenue, the Labour Icon noted that already there is a movement towards good governance in the country.
While condemning the loss of lives and violent attacks on public assets in some states, Comrade Aremu called for the deepening of the democratic process, rather than its subversion, adding that given the antics of some misguided youths calling for the return of the discredited military dictatorship, it is time for “mass literacy campaign on the imperative of democracy for good governance”.