Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, affirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to enact comprehensive macroeconomic reforms. These reforms, aimed at mitigating inflation, alleviating the cost of living, and ensuring the stability of the foreign exchange, align with the broader objective of fostering economic growth. Minister Idris made these declarations during the 2024 Press Week of the Niger State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday.
Represented by the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Minister expressed optimism about the prospects for 2024. He highlighted that promising initiatives of the administration are set to yield positive results in the coming year.
“As the chief spokesperson of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I take this opportunity to convey to Nigerians that 2024 holds great promise for our nation,” Minister Idris stated. He emphasized that the policies under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would solidify, contributing to the growth of the nation’s economic development, human assets, and national security.
The Minister assured the public that the Tinubu administration would persist in implementing macroeconomic reforms with the overarching goals of sustained economic growth, reduced inflation, cost-of-living relief, foreign exchange stability, and job creation.
Addressing recent developments such as the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the liberalization of the foreign exchange regime, Minister Idris underscored the government’s commitment to the rule of law and the independence of institutions, as evident in recent court judgments.
He clarified that the decision to relocate certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and ensure a responsive financial system for Nigeria. The Minister emphasized that this directive aligns with global best practices and has no political motivation, contrary to misconceptions.
Minister Idris reassured that no policy of the current administration would disadvantage any part of the country. He emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to fairness, equitable development, and national unity, reflecting in policies guided by principles of fairness and equality.
In addition, the Minister called on the media to support the fight against fake news, describing it as a “hydra-headed menace” that deliberately misinforms Nigerians. He urged colleagues to unite against the spread of false information.
Concluding his address, Minister Idris announced the impending unveiling of comprehensive details of the National Values Charter by the Federal Government. This initiative aims to instill core values in the citizenry, fostering a sense of shared national identity.