The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on political stakeholders to intensify grassroots engagement in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying sustained public understanding is critical to the success of the administration’s ongoing economic reforms.
Idris made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the APC Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly (FOPSHA), led by its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sen. Wasiu Esinlokun, during a courtesy visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The minister said former presiding officers, given their political experience and extensive grassroots networks, have an important role to play in explaining the rationale behind the administration’s reforms and helping Nigerians appreciate their long-term benefits.
According to him, while the reforms have required difficult policy choices, they are designed to reposition the country for sustainable economic growth, improve public finances, strengthen investor confidence and create greater opportunities for citizens.
Idris said President Tinubu had demonstrated uncommon political courage by implementing reforms that successive administrations had postponed for decades, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms.
He noted that the administration has also expanded the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), strengthened external reserves, improved the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) performance, embarked on major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, and intensified efforts to address insecurity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took courageous decisions that previous administrations avoided for decades. Today, Nigeria is witnessing greater fiscal stability, improved investor confidence, enhanced infrastructure development and expanding opportunities for citizens. The foundation has been laid for a more prosperous future,” the minister said.
Idris also pledged the ministry’s support for FOPSHA’s forthcoming National Executive Council and Board of Trustees meeting, directing federal media organisations under the ministry the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to provide adequate publicity for the event.
He described the forum as an important platform whose members have continued to contribute to democratic governance and national development through their wealth of legislative and political experience.
Earlier, FOPSHA Chairman, Sen. Wasiu Esinlokun, said the visit was aimed at informing the minister about the forum’s activities and seeking the ministry’s collaboration in publicising its forthcoming meeting.
Esinlokun disclosed that the gathering would bring together former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, former governors, former ministers and distinguished senators to deliberate on national issues and strengthen support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to mobilising grassroots support for the Tinubu administration through sustained engagement with communities across the country.
