The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has given voice to the prevailing economic hardship in Nigeria and told President Bola Tinubu through the first lady, Remi to rise to the occasion and lesson the suffering of the people.
The emir made the call yesterday when Mrs Tinubu paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Kano.
He urged the first lady to convey the message of the teeming populace about the hunger in the country to the president.
He said even though the problem predated the Tinubu administration, economic and security challenges are quite apparent currently.
“Although, we have several means of communicating to the government on our needs and requests, you are the surest way to tell the President the happenings in the country.
“We get information daily that essential commodities and cost of living are high and people are suffering, although it didn’t start with this government.
“We know the government is making efforts but it should redouble efforts to ease the suffering faced by the people,” the emir said.
On insecurity, the emir said: “The issue of insecurity is another serious problem we are facing. I know your government inherited it, but something more seriously should be done to take care of the threats.”
The monarch also advised the president to look into the complaints over the relocation of some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN’s) headquarters from Abuja to Lagos.
“We are receiving a series of messages from our people. One of such messages is the talk about the relocation of CBN offices and FAAN to Lagos. I think the government should listen to those complaints and clarify to Nigerians in the languages they would understand.
“Do more enlightenment on this matter. I, for one, cannot tell the actual intentions of the government. We should be made to actually understand why the relocation of the CBN and FAAN offices is happening now.
“If the decisions to relocate them are for good, let the people understand. And if some errors were made, there should be reviews, because there could be mistakes in human endeavours,” he added.
Earlier, Mrs Tinubu had said he husband means well for Nigerians and called on them to bear with his administration over the current economic challenges.
She expressed optimism that things would be better as the president means well for the country.
“I bring you warm greetings from Mr President. He said that I should greet you, that he wishes you well.
“I thank all the chiefs and the queens that are in the palace. I thank Kano; this means a lot to me.
“Despite what is going on, we mean well for this nation. I remember what we did in Lagos. It was like it was a little bit shaky, but we assure Nigerians we are going to be resolute. So, just bear with us. But you should continue to assist whoever you can. Things will get better by the Grace of God,” she said.
