Amidst Rising Hardship, Nationwide Protests, Adeyanju Urges Tinubu to Reinstate Social Investment Programmes

*Advocates partnership with religious houses, traditional rulers to reduce corruption in implementation

Convener of Concerned Nigerians and prominent Human Rights activist, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the suspension of the national social investment programmes in light of the prevalent hunger, hardships, and food insecurity plaguing the nation.

Adeyanju in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja said, recent protests in cities such as Niger, Kano and Kogi had underscored the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for decisive action to be taken by the President.

President Tinubu had suspended all administered programmes by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) over alleged financial malfeasance by Halima Shehu, its chief executive officer.

All four suspended Programmes administered by NSIPA are N- Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

“While we acknowledge that the suspension of all administered programmes by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was initiated as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged financial malfeasance by Halima Shehu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIPA, we urge President Tinubu to recognize the dire consequences of the continued suspension on the lives of ordinary citizens.”

Adeyanju further empathized that President Tinubu’s concerns regarding operational lapses and improprieties surrounding payments to the program beneficiaries are valid. However, the Human rights activist proposes that the President explore alternative avenues for the management of these programmes, such as involving religious bodies, including churches, mosques, and traditional rulers. By doing so, the government can mitigate the risk of political interference and ensure that funds are utilized transparently and efficiently, reaching the intended beneficiaries.

“It is imperative to recognize that Nigeria is currently sitting on a time bomb of hardships, banditry, insecurity, and kidnapping. The cumulative effect of these challenges has pushed our nation to the brink. If urgent measures are not taken to cushion the effects of this hardship, we fear that mass protests may erupt across the country, potentially leading to a serious revolution.”

“We must acknowledge that there is a limit to what the people can endure. If President Tinubu genuinely cares about the well-being of the citizens and seeks to alleviate their suffering, it is important that he reinstates the suspended programmes that can provide much-needed support to ordinary citizens and the vulnerable.

Adeyanju implored the President to prioritize transparency in the disbursement of funds through these programmes, stating that by adopting more accountable and transparent practices, the government can ensure that the allocated funds reach the intended beneficiaries promptly,

He added that this will not only restore faith in the government’s commitment to the welfare of the people but will also alleviate the mounting hardships faced by countless Nigerians.

In conclusion, Adeyanju appealed to President Tinubu’s sense of duty and compassion for the suffering masses, urging him to reconsider the suspension of the national social investment programmes and take immediate steps to reinstate them.