• Says policies have cut down inflation, created jobs

One year into the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, the Federal Government said it had accomplished so much within the short period. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who spoke yesterday, at a ministerial media briefing to highlight the achievements of Mr President in his first year in office, also said policies by the government helped to cut down inflation and boost job creation.

    
This came as Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also at the briefing, announced that the official ceremony to mark the milestone would be “low-key,” stressing: “There would be no major ceremony but sectorial briefing by the ministers. The essence is to ensure that government funds are kept for the people.”
   
Akume noted that the first year of President Tinubu has been a testament of some sort and has buttressed the unwavering commitment and resilience of the administration towards serving the Nigerian people with diligence, integrity and dedication. He said despite daunting challenges from all angles, Tinubu was calm and demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities.
 
 “From the outset, President Tinubu’s administration set forth an ambitious agenda focused on economic revitalisation, social inclusion, and infrastructural development. The government has implemented significant economic reforms aimed at stabilising our economy and fostering sustainable growth. Key among these is the introduction of policies that have attracted foreign investments, reduced inflation, and boosted job creation across various sectors.” 
  
He said the President’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s infrastructure is evident in the completion and ongoing execution of numerous projects, notable among which he said are extensive road networks, improved rail systems, and the modernisation of ports, which are vital for boosting trade and connectivity.
  
The SGF said Nigeria under the current administration witnessed significant policy strides in various sectors including the Presidential accent to the 2023 Electricity Bill, a move that dismantled monopolistic control over electricity generation, transmission and distribution at the national level and granted authority to state governments, organisations and individuals to generate, distribute and transmit electricity. He added that the step helped in decentralising the power sector.
  
Another milestone, the SGF said, was accenting the passage of the Nigeria Data Protection Bill 2023, which established a legal framework for safeguarding personal information and promoting data protection practices in Nigeria.
 
“And of course, the challenging but very necessary removal of fuel subsidy, a longstanding policy notorious for fostering corruption, inefficiency, and imposing significant fiscal strain on the government yearly, and primarily benefitting the affluent and smugglers rather than effectively aiding the general populace,” he said.
  
Akume informed that under President Tinubu’s stewardship in the last year, Nigerians witnessed significant strides in various sectors of the economy. He said that through prudent fiscal policies and strategic investments, the economy has shown resilience and potential for growth.