President, govs, others must shun rhetoric and adopt practical approach to national development —MMWG

AS Nigeria attains 63 years of independence, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has expressed the need for political, legislative, judicial and economic leaders to move away from rhetoric and adopt practical approach to solving the problems militating against the country’s development.

In a goodwill message on the occasion of Nigeria’s independence anniversary, the MMWG stated that the country “does not lack economic, human and material resources to develop and prosper.”

It, however, expressed regret that “the political class has always brandished fashionable ideas and ideals to do what is needed, but failed woefully to do them after stepping into the positions of authority.”

The group therefore pointed out that leadership must shift from rhetoric to actualisation of promises “as good governance is the only antidote that could sustain the confidence of the people in any administration.”

In a statement issued by its national coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the MMWG stated that it was time the presidential democracy being practised by Nigeria was re-evaluated in order to remove certain aspects of it that constitute impediments to good governance and national development.

According to the group, such impediments also include political intolerance, insecurity, endemic corruption, tribalism, religious bigotry, kidnapping and serious economic crimes.

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The group commended President Bola Tinubu for his new economic policies aimed at revamping the nation’s economy but warned that “unless we tackle corruption head-on, not much can be achieved as industrialisation and economic prosperity cannot thrive where corruption and insecurity permeate a country as is the case in Nigeria today.”

The MMWG said: “It is no longer news that job racketeering has pervaded Nigeria’s public sector for more than 15 years now. It is a shame on the country that some paramilitary and public service jobs are paid for before being given. We call on the Federal Government to henceforth deal with such bad practices.”

It also called on the government to extend its economic reform to profit-making agencies and give a time frame for the revitalisation of the power sector “as energy has a lot to do with industrialisation and employment opportunities for youths.”

The group asked the government to also formulate policies that would encourage federal and state ministries, departments and agencies as well as players in the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government to patronise vehicle assembly plants operating in Nigeria for all vehicle needs to boost the nation’s industrial growth.

It stated that most industrially developed countries like Japan, China and Malaysia and others focused their developments on patronising locally made goods, vehicles and equipment.

The group urged all Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of the current administration.

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