Date: 2020-11-08

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Friday, appealed to Nigerians to bear with the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in its quest to deliver the much-needed change it promised Nigerians in 2015.

Mohammed, who spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, implored Nigerians yet to feel the impacts of the regime and those who feel the government is not doing enough to give it some time.

Buhari had directed all his cabinet members to return to their respective states and interact with the people over the #EndSARS protests and what the government had done.

The minister said, "If we have not done enough or we have not touched everybody, we appeal that you please bear with us.

"In the first instance, what we have is less than 60 per cent of the revenue that was available to other governments that came before us.

"We all know what we suffered during COVID 19, and as we are just trying to recover from this we also face another crisis.

"We appeal that you should please assist the government and be patient.

"This government is dedicated to serving the people and we will continue to try our best to do so

"I thank you all for your perseverance, understanding and patience."

Mohammed said the government initiated N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund aimed at providing opportunities for the youths.

He said the Fund is part of the N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on most vulnerable Micro Small Medium Enterprises across the country.

The meeting was also attended by the state governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi; the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Sulu Gambari; and other traditional rulers, youths representatives, market leaders, amongst others.

In his contribution, the Emir of Ilorin said he was concerned about the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities affecting the children of the poor who could not send their children abroad and to private universities to study.

The Chairman of ASUU in the University of Ilorin, Moyosore Ajao, called on the government to settle the lingering crisis for students to return to schools. (NAN)