Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has urged Nigerians not to panic over the economic situation in the country.
He said the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration would take the country to a new height.
The minister said the country has faced significant challenges in the past, stressing that it had become necessary to recognise the progress the Tinubu administration has made.
Wike said this while addressing reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after leading some members of the former G5 Governors’ Forum on a condolence visit to Governor Seyi Makinde on the death of his elder brother, Sunday Makinde.
Those who accompanied the former Rivers State governor included former Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
Evening Roundup: Stories making waves in The Nation – The Nation0:00 / 0:00
Others are: Senators Sandy Onor, Philip Aduda, Olaka Nwogu, Mao Ohuabunwa, and former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche.
The visitors were received at the Ikolaba private residence of the governor.
Wike, who said Nigerians were fond of forgetting things easily, recalled that the country was at the brink before the current administration came to power.
The FCT minister said the policies introduced by the Tinubu administration were necessitated by the needs to change things for the good of the country.
He said President Tinubu’s policies, even though were accompanied by temporary pain, would enable the country to achieve greater heights.
Wike urged Nigerians to expect better things in the months ahead.
He said: “I have always said that people should be patient. This country was something else a few years ago. You know, Nigerians always forget where we were and what efforts have been put in place.
“As I speak to you, if you want the country to be remedied, you need to be patient. You need to give time. It’s not like a miracle thing.
“The policies Mr. President is putting in place are policies that, yes, would have some effects. People would have to feel it. By the end of the day, are we going to achieve what we were supposed to achieve? Yes.
“That is the current situation. So, for me, nobody should panic. Mr. President means well for the country and Nigerians should expect that better things will come.”
The FCT minister told reporters why he and the other dignitaries were in Ibadan.
He said: “We came to pay a condolence visit to our friend and our brother, the governor of Oyo State. All of you know the relationship we have with him as a member of the G5 Governors’ Forum, who stood for equity and fairness in this country.
“He lost his senior brother, who is also our own elder brother. What affects him affects all of us. The death of his elder brother was so touching to all of us because we know how close he was with his elder brother.”
The Nation
