The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as President 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 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.
Mohammed said through prudent management of resources and the introduction of creative ideas to block leakages, the President was gradually reviving the economy.
He 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 appealed to Nigerians to be patient as the change they voted for would be gradual, noting that the past one year had been spent in laying a solid foundation for the country.
The minister described the Kano town hall meeting as unique because the medium of communication is an indigenous language.
He said the idea of the town hall meetings was 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.
Responding, Ganduje said the town hall meeting initiative of the Federal Government would correct mis-information, rumour mongering and wrong perception of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
“If there is no adequate communication, many issues will flourish: misinformation, distorted information, rumour mongering, suspicion and ignorance.
“But with this programme, I believe people will be more educated and enlightened,’’ he said.
The governor noted that during the electioneering process, it was not only the APC card carrying members that promoted the party and the candidature of Buhari.
He said what happened was convergence of interest, commitment to nationhood and dissatisfaction with what was happening in the country.
Ganduje stressed that the town hall meeting would go a long way in satisfying the aspirations of the convergents that came together to bring Buhari to power.
He commended the initiative of using indigenous language for the town hall meetings, and for choosing Kano for the maiden edition.
Other ministers at the event were Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu and Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Bawa Bwari,.
Also at the event were Ministers of State, Budget and Planning Zainab Ahmed, Trade and Investment Aisha Abubakar and the Director-General National Orientation Agency, Garba Abati.
