President Bola Tinubu has described his government’s inauguration day fuel subsidy removal speech as a painful decision that was necessary for the country’s economy.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Malagi again spoke the mind of the president during the quarterly meeting of the Progressives Governors’ Forum with Commissioners of Information of APC states in attendance at Minna.

He urged the Commissioners to arm themselves with appropirate information and data so that the country’s citizens across all the states of the federation, will not only know about these reforms and programmes but also understand how to access and benefit from them.

“One of the boldest and most consequential decisions of this administration, which is the removal of the fuel subsidy, was a painful but necessary reform. Beyond saving the economy from fiscal collapse, this decision has significantly blocked areas of leakage and waste in our economy,

“This has led to an increase in funding for the development of mega infrastructure such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Calabar-Abuja Super Highway, Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, among others.

“It is therefore our duty, as information managers, to ensure that the citizens of this country, across all the states of the federation, not only know about these reforms and programmes but also understand how to access and benefit from them.

“That is why this conference is so important. As Commissioners for Information, you are the voice and face of government at the state level. You must go back home with renewed energy, armed with facts, stories, and strategies to effectively mobilise your people to take full advantage of the promise of Renewed Hope,” Malagi said.

The minister reminded that the purpose of the conference was to reflect a recognition of a shared responsibility of effectively communicating the goals of achievements and promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this government to every citizen in every community across the country.

“The agenda is now being steadily implemented across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, with discipline, prudence, fortitude, and a deep commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

The forum is crucial to the mission of amplifying the great work redefine by the APC-led administration both at the federal and sub- National levels,” he noted.

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State Abubakar Gawu who represented the state governor, Mohammed Bago, in his welcome remarks pointed out that the progressives governors were not only united and strong, but were delivering results that are measurable and future focused.

“Here in Niger State, we are building the New Niger, a development vision driven by bold reforms in agriculture, digitisation urban renewal and youth empowerment,” he said.

The Niger State  Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman in her remarks  said the theme of the meeting  “Strategic communication and policy Alignment”  was timely and critical to navigate an era that demands clarity of purpose.

“Here in Niger State under the visionary leadership of Governor Bago, we are intentional about using communication as a tool for development, accountability, and mobilisation for delivery of our New Niger Agenda.

“Out task as information managers is not only to publicise the achievements of our respective governments but also to counter misinformation, shape constructive public discourses align state narratives with our collective progressive ideals for national development and security,” she stressed.