The Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerians not to link the Tinubu’s economic reforms to stampede that led to the deaths of some Nigerians sharing palliatives in some States and Abuja last week.
This is even as the Federal Government conveyed its condolences to the affected families that lost their loved one.
The FG cautioned those politicizing the unfortunate incidents, saying Tinubu’s reset of the economy has nothing to do with the stampedes deaths.
According to the Minister, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by these unfortunate incidents.
Idris stated that the tragedies were deeply saddening. And underscored the importance of ensuring proper crowd management during such charitable activities, especially during the festive season.
The Minister acknowledged the noble intentions of organizers seeking to bring relief to vulnerable members of society. And admonished all individuals and organizations planning similar events to comply with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Idris, therefore, urged them to liaise with the police formations for effective crowd control and security measures.
He said, “Collaboration with the police and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, is crucial to safeguarding lives. And ensuring that such efforts to assist those in need do not inadvertently lead to further distress.
Idris also urged politicians and other stakeholders to refrain from politicizing the unfortunate incidents. He emphasized that those tragic events are in no way connected to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s economic reforms.
He said, “It is worth noting that similar unfortunate occurrences have been recorded in the past, before the current administration. As such, making any attempt to link these tragedies to the President’s reforms is unfounded and disingenuous.”
The Minister added that the reforms, while repositioning the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth, are designed to uplift the lives of all Nigerians. Particularly the vulnerable without causing distress.
Idris, therefore, called for a collective sense of responsibility. He urged citizens to unite and ensure that the Yuletide season is marked by peace, goodwill, and joy, devoid of preventable tragedies.
Recall that the Anambra State Police Command on Sunday, put the death toll in the Okija tragedy at 22.
The unfortunate incident occurred during the distribution of bags of rice by a non-profit making organization, ObiJackson Foundation to the less-privileged on Saturday.
source: The Nation
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