The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has urged the Forum of ex-Councillors to support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and propagate its benefits at the grassroots.

Mr Idris made the call when the National Forum of Ex-Councillors, led by its President Auwal Hassan, paid him a courtesy visit to honour him with the Award of ‘Defender of Democracy’ on Friday in Abuja.

The minister appreciated the forum for its efforts in supporting democracy in the country since 1999.

He said, “I want to urge you to support the reforms of President Bola Tinubu; Yes, it may be tough but people, including global analysts have started seeing the fruits of the reforms. We are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. The removal of fuel subsidy has now started providing resources for states and local governments to perform better than before.

“Look at the students’ loan, agriculture sector, regional development commissions, Blue and Marine Economy, tax reform and many others. Please I urge you to ensure that the messages of Tinubu’s reforms and its benefits gets to the grassroots across the country, this is because, your forum is closer to the people.’’

The minister recalled that many years ago, local governments were truly independent and working for the people at the grassroots, but it gradually declined years later.

He said, “Tinubu came and decided that there is a need to make the local governments strong and independent again, that is why he sorted for constitutional interpretation at the Supreme Court that led to Local Government Autonomy. Today states and local governments are getting more resources to work with. Since 1999, we have had unbroken governance, and we want to keep it that way. We have to ensure that the states and local governments function to strengthen democracy. We want to thank you for your strength and believe in strengthening democracy. Tinubu has done well for the country in terms of democracy and development in all spheres endeavours.”

He appreciated the forum for honouring him with the award of ‘Defender of Democracy’.

Speaking earlier, Mr Hassan commended the efforts of Mr Idris in defending democracy and propagating the remarkable achievements of the Federal Government.

According to him, the forum has over 70,000 members at the grassroots across the country.

He stated, “We exist to ensure that our democracy is strengthened and sustained. We are here to honour you with the award, because you are doing well as the imagemaker of the country.

“You have revitalised News Agency of Nigeria, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Nigerian Television Authority, Voice of Nigeria and many other agencies under your ministry delivering people-oriented services. This award of Defender of Democracy is not given to just anybody, but persons like you who have done so well in defending democracy of Nigeria through your duty as imagemaker of Nigeria,” Mr Hassan said.

The highlight of the visit was the award of medal and plaque to the minister.

The ex-councillors in attendance came from, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Ogun and Katsina states among others.

(NAN)