Mr Oyakhilome Bello,All Progressives Congress (APC) United States National Youth Leader has assured Nigeria youths that relief is in sight as the Federal Government is determined to address the country’s economy challenges.
He gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja at the party’s national secretariat while speaking with newsmen, saying those protesting against the Federal Government should shield their swords.
Bello alongside other leaders of the APC US chapter, earlier had a closed door meeting with Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s National Chairman and members of its National Working Committee (NWC).
The delegation include: Prof. Adesegun Labinjo, Alhaji Sama’ila Maigyara, Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye and Felix Miliku
Bello described the meeting as productive, saying strategies to increase the party’s visibility among Nigerians in the diaspora were discussed.
He said the delegation was committed to ensuring that the party’s banner continued to fly high in the United States and made a household name globally.
“We are grateful for the warm reception and assurance of synergy from Ganduje, and our national executives, together, we’ll make our party a household name globally,” he said.
Bello who is also a member of Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council Diaspora Directorate expressed confidence that with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, Nigeria would overcome its current challenges and achieve greatness.
He affirmed the support of the APC U.S to the forthcoming Edo governorship election, saying the chapter was dedicated to delivering victory for the party in the state.
“Relief is in sight as Port Harcourt refinery is set for operations in a few weeks time and plans had been concluded to subside cost of rice to #40,000 and other food items.
“Government has indeed heard you loud and clear, let’s at this point have a rethink and come to the discussion table, especially as opportunities had been opened for dialogue.
“It is better to jaw, jaw than to war, war, without dialogue, we will not have an head way in the situation we currently find ourselves.
“I may be based in the United States, but I am on ground here in Nigeria with you, and I understand your plight and I feel your pains,” Bello said.
He said the Tinubu-led administration had put in place a lot of policies and programmes, including the student’s loan scheme that would greatly benefit youths.
He appealed to youths to tap into such programmes irrespective of party affiliations, saying their protest was appreciated by government as it was allowed in every democracy.
He, however, stressed the need for leaders of the #Endbadgovernance in Nigeria protest to come to the discussion table to have a talk with the Federal Government on ways forward.
This, Bello said was the best way out, rather than going to the streets to protest and destroy government properties and infrastructure.
He assured that government was doing a lot to improve the well being of Nigerians across board irrespective of party affiliations.
He said for instance, the student loan scheme of the Tinubu-led administration compared favourably with some of the historic policies introduced in the 1960s to encourage education in parts of the country.
“You will agree with me that the target beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) put in place by the administration are indigent students across the country who may not have had the opportunity to be educated.
“The disbursement of N2.026 billion to six tertiary institutions for the payment of school fees under the scheme is most encouraging, pleasing and gratifying.
“let’s give the government a chance and believe in its capacity to turn things around for good in our collective interest and for our future generations.
“The Tinubu-led administration I must tell you, is not sleeping on it responsibilities despite obvious challenges,” Bello assured, saying it was poised to ensure sustainable growth and improved quality of life for Nigerains.
He said Nigerains should continue to have faith in the ability of the administration to deliver on its policies and programmes.