MMPN to FG: Address plethora of challenges confronting Nigerians

By Bukola Hameed

FEDERAL government of Nigeria has been called upon to address the plethora of challenges confronting Nigerians as occasioned by hike in prices of foods and other commodities in the market.

This was contained in a Communique issued and signed by the chairman, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Ridwan Fasasi at the monthly meeting of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Oyo State Chapter, held on July 25, 2021.

The body urged youths in the country to disengage from illicit acts such as consumption of alcohol and other hard drugs which have adverse effects on their total well-being, adding that government must address the flow of drugs into the public domains.

The communiqué reads, ” the Federal Government should address the hardship caused by high cost of foods and other goods in the market as the rate at which people especially the masses suffer is alarming.

” Youths in the country should also shun social vices such as alcohol consumption which results in armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and thuggery, and engage themselves meaningfully in order to contribute positively to the societal development. To curb this acts, government at all levels have to put a mechanism in place to check the rate at which hard drugs are being circulated in the society.”

” Motor parks are becoming a haven to hard drugs sellers which has accounted for a number of road crashes in the state and Nigeria at large. The government needs to make law and impose heavy sanction without fine that will discourage the sale and consumption of alcohol and other hard drugs in the society.

“Parents must, as matter of urgency too, mentor their children for them to be useful to the society and shun all forms of social vices.”
The body also appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians to empower the youths and the needy in the society, saying empowering of those on the streets would reduce insecurity in Nigeria while adding that giving people cash will not better their lots.

MMPN commended Oyo State government for evacuating the beggers from the streets and advised other states in Nigeria to emulate the initiative.

The body called on Governor Seyi Makinde led administration not to relent on the initiative, saying that it will reduce the rate at which female beggers are being impregnated and assulted by hoodlums, saying, children born from these sexual assults are usually sold to those who will eventually use them for ritual purpose.

Religious organisations and other stakeholders were urged to positively play their role for the betterment of the the society.
“Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) should also tackle the traffic situation in the state for, many drivers drive against traffic leading to traffic gridlock in the state”.

The body commended Oyo State government for paying the workers’ salary before the Eld-el-kabir celebration as the gesture is a laudable one, calling on Mr governor to ensure fairness in the composition of the new State Executive Council in line with his promise to be fair to all along religious line.