Buhari’s emergence saved Nigeria’s economy from collapse – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the

emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the President of Nigeria in 2015 saved

the country's economy from imminent collapse due to mismanagement and

unbridled corruption.

The Minister made the remarks in Kano on Friday during a courtesy visit to

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, shortly before the commencement of the

Hausa language town hall meeting in the ancient city.

"For the fact that God loves this country, if any other political party had won

the election, there would have been no economy to talk about. They wouldn't

have the courage or discipline to manage the economy," he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said through prudent management of resources and the

introduction of creative ideas to block leakages, the President is gradually

reviving the economy, and assured Nigerians that there is indeed light at the

end of the tunnel.

"This government, more than any government, has been working very hard

because this is one government that genuinely believes in the people; it is

one government that really cares for the poorest of the poor. For the first time

we have a President whose integrity is actually driving the country," he said.

He therefore appealed to Nigerians to be patient as the change they voted for

will be gradual, noting that the past one year has been spent in laying a solid

foundation for the country.

While describing the Kano town hall meeting as unique because the medium

of communication is an indigenous language, the Minister said the idea of the

town hall meetings is to communicate directly with the people and also feel

their pulse on government policies and programmes.

"The idea of the town hall meeting came when we realized that our message

was not getting down to the people. When we issue a press release or we

have a press conference, it is so watered down, it's sifted and everybody

takes his story from his or her own angle. So we decided that it's better we

address the people directly," he said.

The Minister said the representatives of all segments of the people are

attending the town hall meetings and promised to continue to improve on the

representation and the quality of content.

In his remarks, Governor Ganduje hailed the Minister for introducing the town

hall meeting, particularly in indigenous languages, and said it is the surest

way of bridging the gap between the government and the people.

"To decide to have the town hall meeting in a vernacular language, I think

there is no better style and initiative than that single decision of the

Honourable Minister," he said.

The Governor observed that following the analysis conducted after the

election, it was discovered that not only APC members voted for the

President, but that it was the consensus of opinions to pull Nigeria from the

brink and return the country to the path of growth and sustainable

development.

"In order to harmonise and also to satisfy the aspirations of those divergent

opinions that came together and put us forward, there is no better way than

this exercise that you have undertaken," he said.