FG: Don’t Politicise Stampede Deaths, Says Hard Times Will Be Over Soon
The minister also expressed deep sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives in the stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by these unfortunate incidents,” Idris said.
He described the tragedies that claimed over 74 lives as deeply saddening, stating that the incidents underscore the importance of ensuring proper crowd management during such charitable activities, especially during the festive seasons.
While acknowledging the noble intentions of organisers seeking to bring relief to vulnerable members of society, the minister admonished all individuals and organisations planning similar events to comply with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, on liaising with the police formations for effective crowd control and security measures.
Idris stressed the importance of collaboration with the police and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stating that it is crucial to safeguard lives and ensure that efforts to assist those in need does not lead to further distress, inadvertently.
He said the reforms by the administration were designed to uplift the lives of all Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable, without causing distress, as well as reposition the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth.
Idris called for a collective sense of responsibility and urged citizens to unite to ensure that the Yuletide season was marked by peace, goodwill, and joy, devoid of preventable tragedies.
Equally, speaking at his country home, Malagi, in Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State, Idris assured the people that the hard times being faced by Nigerians as a result of the economic reform agenda of the Tinubu government would be over next year.
He said the gains of the economic reforms of the administration would begin to manifest from next year, and bring succour to Nigerians.
The minister was at his country home to inaugurate some projects he executed for the benefit of the community.
He stated, “All the gains of the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will begin to manifest in 2025. The policies are designed to put Nigeria on the path of enduring prosperity.
“All the reform programmes and initiatives of Mr President have been well-thought out, articulated and well-formulated in the interest and for the benefits of all Nigerians, irrespective of wherever they come from. Nigerians will start enjoying the benefits from next year.
“Reforms are very difficult for the people who are formulating it and difficult for people who are also enduring it but we know that, ultimately, they (reforms) will take us to the desired destination.”
Further drumming support for the Tinubu administration, Idris assured, “Nigeria will definitely turn the corner and we are already beginning to see the signs of that. Our economy is going to turn around.
“So, let Nigerians give Mr President a chance and by this time next year, 2025 is a year of consolidation for the gains of all the economic reforms that Mr President has instituted. By 2025, we will see them all come to manifest.”
