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Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged President Bola Tinubu to address the widespread poverty in the country, rather than merely urging governors to act.
Falana stated this in a statement on Sunday, referencing Tinubu’s remarks at a recent meeting with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he acknowledged the harsh economic realities faced by Nigerians due to neoliberal policies.
The President reportedly said, “To you, the governors, you must wet the grass more and deliver progressive change to Nigerians. May God bless our democracy and grant us more fertile lands.”
While quoting the President, Falana explained that Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots.
He urged the Federal Government to move beyond appeals and instead demonstrate leadership by fully funding existing welfare programmes.
“Instead of begging state governments to ‘wet ground more’, President Bola Tinubu is urged to ensure that the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act is adopted and enacted into law by the 36 state governments,” Falana stated.
According to the senior lawyer, rather than allocating billions for state house renovations, governments at all levels should focus on implementing impactful social policies to alleviate suffering among the masses.
In other news, Governors across Nigeria have voiced grave concerns over the worsening state of education in the country, warning that without urgent interventions, the sector may face further deterioration.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, delivered this warning on Thursday during a State-Level Workshop on Foundational Learning and Out-of-School Children held in Abuja.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the NGF’s Education Advisor, Leo The Great, said Nigeria is at a crossroads in its education journey, with a pressing need to confront the foundational issues head-on.
