The Federal Government has called on the Advertising and marketing industry to come up with creative solutions and approaches to enlighten, sensitize about opening the eyes of Nigerians to see the various economic opportunities emerging around them.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris who made the call at the National Advertising Conference, held at Bolton White Hotel, Abuja on Thursday said Nigerians need to know many things that the Federal and State Governments are doing to make life better for all.
Idris spoke of President Bola Tinubu being decisive from day one of assuming office despite being tough but necessary decisions taken regarding the fuel subsidy, foreign exchange regime, and fiscal reforms, among other critical things.
The Minister mentioned the President’s decision of reforming the tax landscape, expanding the National Social Register through which social welfare is provided to the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.
The President’s presentation of his first full-year Budget to the National Assembly, the Renewed Hope Budget, focused on jobs, economic growth, macro-economic stability, ease of doing business, poverty reduction, social security, and enhanced human capital development.
According to him, “Just this week, the Federal Government launched an SME support programme, the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme and Palliative Programs, targeting traders, artisans, transporters, vendors, and creatives with grants and low-cost loans.
“1 million nano-businesses – the smallest businesses in the country – will benefit from grants of N50,000 each, while bigger businesses will be eligible to benefit from loans from a 75 Billion Naira Fund.
“These initiatives are in addition to the ones already previously announced and being implemented, like the rollout of CNG buses for deployment by State Governments, to help alleviate the impact of the petrol subsidy removal”, he said.
He added that, “If the people and businesses who are meant to benefit from the loans and grants and cash transfers are not aware, how will they benefit. How to mobilize Nigerians in an inspiring and hopeful fashion, how to awaken them to their rights, responsibilities as citizens of Nigeria”.
He pointed out that, “You as marketing communications professionals have credible answers to these questions, and are thus well positioned to serve as catalysts of Nigeria’s social and economic transformation”.
The Minister noted that government on its part have pledged and are committed to making information available in a timely and credible manner. “I have always said that as Minister of Information and National Orientation, I will strive to do my work with utmost openness and integrity.
“As we make the information available with transparency and credibility, I ask that you as communications professionals rally around to help us convey that information without sensationalism or distortion”, he said.
Idris implored the industry to help the government to take the messages of hope, sacrifice, opportunity and patience to every nook and cranny of the country. “Help us amplify the message that, while some policy decisions may be painful in the short-term, they will yield economic rewards and prosperity over time”.
He reiterated President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria is encapsulated in his Renewed Hope Agenda, which has the following objectives: Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth. Strengthen national security for peace and prosperity.
“Boost agriculture to achieve food security. Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development. Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth. Focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development.
“Accelerate diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing & innovation. Improve governance for effective service delivery. These objectives fully capture the scale of national transformation that the Bola Tinubu Administration is pursuing. And we are already on that journey”, he said.