Hon. Babajimi Benson, the representative for Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has pointed to ineffective communication as a key factor obscuring the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration from the Nigerian populace, particularly the youth, amid ongoing nationwide protests against poor governance.
In a discussion with journalists, Benson acknowledged that while the constitutional right to protest is important, resorting to violence will not lead to productive outcomes. He urged citizens to remain patient and allow time for the government’s policies to manifest positive results.
The lawmaker expressed pride in the progress made by the Tinubu administration over the past year, asserting that substantial groundwork has been laid for a revitalized Nigeria. However, he lamented that the public remains largely unaware of these advancements due to communication failures.
Benson stated, “The government owes it to the people to fulfill the renewed hope mandate, and every necessary effort must be made to achieve this. Currently, the Nigerian populace is grappling with hunger and demands improvements in welfare and security, which inevitably requires financial investment.”
He emphasized the need to manage expectations, noting that significant change takes time. “The core issue we face in Nigeria is a communication gap.
For instance, during an engagement with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and the youth, Prof. Pate discussed his healthcare initiatives over the past year. Unfortunately, the public is not informed about these developments due to inadequate communication.”
Benson further highlighted the importance of local governance, comparing Nigeria’s situation to the United States. He noted that while U.S. citizens often identify with their local leaders, Nigerians primarily look to the President for accountability, even for local issues like road repairs.
“Now that funds have been allocated directly to local government chairmen, it is essential to communicate clearly who bears responsibility for various issues.”
He acknowledged the upcoming minimum wage increase as a step forward, while also discussing the recent decision to allow the Dangote Refinery to purchase crude oil in naira. “This is a significant move that should bring benefits, and it is now up to Dangote to deliver on this responsibility.”
Benson concluded by stressing the need for effective communication about government initiatives. “Historically, programs like MAMSER helped convey government efforts to the public.
Today, we are doing even more, but the lack of communication about how these efforts will positively impact citizens is a critical oversight. Our youth are highly motivated and capable; they simply need the right information to act upon.”
