CAPPA charges Tinubu on economic growth, security

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt an economic framework that will wean the country off its over-reliance on fossil fuel to set the nation on the path of peace and sustainable growth.

CAPPA also enjoined Tinubu to adopt a policy that would promote sustainable energy sources, safeguard human rights, and improve public services, alongside a total overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.

It gave the admonition via a statement issued on Thursday, June 1, by its Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi.

Oluwafemi noted that the transition of power on May 29 “is not merely the advent of a new administration, but a defining moment in Nigeria’s battered history”.

“It is a call to action for the Tinubu administration to not only strive to rebuild the crumbling walls of national unity but also commit to tackling and prioritising urgent national issues such as security, education, and public health, among other key interests.

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“Our country’s economy grapples with formidable challenges as we stand at critical crossroads. It’s a moment that demands bold and visionary leadership to inject new vitality into our economy and nationhood,” he added.

Speaking on Tinubu’s campaign manifesto, which promised to work to revive the country’s ailing economy, the CAPPA director said: “Indeed, we agree with this vision and believe that our natural resource-wealth, and strategic position on the global stage grants us ample leverage to spearhead global discourse on green energy, climate change and environmental sustainability.

“We thus urge President Tinubu to prioritize green energy policies that will decentralize Nigeria’s reliance on fossil fuels and demonstrate to the world at large that economic prosperity and environmental stewardship can coexist”.

“Education is another paramount area demanding immediate attention. A country is only as good as the quality of education bequeathed to its citizens. Yet, Nigeria has consistently struggled to prioritize education in its budgetary allocation, falling short of the recommended global benchmark of a 15-20 per cent allocation of national budgets to education.

“We, therefore, call on the Tinubu administration to step up to upgrading national education quality and standards by allocating more funds to education and implementing across all levels of the system, advanced pedagogical infrastructures that foster critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and the acquisition of practical skills vital to improving national development and securing our spot in the global economy.”

He further called on President Tinubu to work to cushion the impact of subsidy removal on Nigerians and manage the nation’s wealth to inspire a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future for the citizens.

“The hope of Nigerians lies in President Tinubu’s capacity to restore the country’s lost glory. CAPPA, alongside the Nigerian populace, will extend unwavering support to this mission. We remain hopeful about the future and stand ready to support the new administration in nurturing a culture of transparency, accountability, and public participation,” Oluwafemi stated.

The Star