In an exclusive interview with Vanguard over the weekend, the National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima, expressed his hopes and concerns regarding the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Tinubu. Shettima emphasized the numerous challenges that await Tinubu as he prepares to assume office on May 29, 2023.
Foremost among the challenges highlighted by Shettima is the struggling economy of the nation. With poverty levels on the rise, Shettima stressed the urgency of addressing the root causes of economic instability. He pointed out that excessive foreign borrowings have contributed significantly to the current state of affairs and called for a comprehensive strategy to stabilize the country’s economy.
Furthermore, Shettima underscored the pressing need to tackle security crises effectively. Nigeria has been plagued by various security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes. The AYCF leader urged the incoming government to prioritize security issues and adopt proactive measures to restore peace and safeguard the lives and property of Nigerian citizens.
Rebuilding Nigeria’s global image was another crucial aspect emphasized by Shettima. The AYCF President acknowledged that Nigeria’s international reputation had suffered setbacks in recent years. He emphasized the importance of restoring the country’s standing on the global stage through diplomatic efforts, strategic partnerships, and showcasing Nigeria’s potential for growth and development.
Expressing his concerns, Shettima stated, “The incoming President will have to deal more with a struggling national economy ravaged by poverty, caused mainly by excessive foreign loans, face insecurity frontally and do a lot to rebuild our international image.” He further added, “To be very honest, the incoming government has a huge, multifaceted challenge ahead, and we can only pray it does what is right. I only hope politicians won’t ambush him like they did to Buhari.”
While reflecting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, which is coming to an end, Shettima acknowledged that although Buhari had faced criticism for his performance, it would be unfair to label him a total failure. The AYCF President recognized that there were areas where the outgoing President had made significant achievements, but also acknowledged that there were areas where expectations had not been met.
Shettima commented, “Well, President Buhari has done what he could do as a president, though many observers have argued that he didn’t do well, and they gave their reasons, and the reasons were quite convincing. That is regrettable. But I would not say Buhari has no single achievement as a leader because doing so is not my style. There are areas he truly did well, and there are areas he performed below expectations.”
As the nation eagerly awaits the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has expressed its hopes for a proactive and impactful administration that will effectively address the challenges facing Nigeria, focusing on the economy, security, and international standing. The AYCF urges stakeholders to support the incoming President to ensure a brighter future for the nation.
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