The Continuous Human Empowerment Initiative, Inclusive Support for Tinubu (CHEI-IST), has appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with the economic policies and reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying some of the measures require time before their full impact can be assessed.
National Coordinator of the organisation, Dr. Agu Goodluck Michael, made the call on Wednesday during an interactive session with members of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) at the association’s national headquarters in Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Michael, a medical doctor, acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians but argued that the reforms being implemented by the administration should be given sufficient time to produce results.
Drawing from his medical background, he likened the nation’s economic situation to that of a patient suffering from multiple fractures, stressing that recovery could not be expected immediately after such a patient arrives at a hospital.
“The mistake we would make is for a man with multiple fractures to believe that immediately he gets to the emergency, he will be well,” he said.
According to him, just as doctors must first examine a critically injured patient, establish the extent of the injuries and determine an appropriate treatment plan, economic reforms also require careful assessment and time before their outcomes can be fully determined.
He explained that CHEI-IST, which he described as a non-political empowerment initiative, was involved in civic engagement because of the close relationship between political leadership, economic conditions and its programmes in healthcare, agriculture, youth development and skills acquisition.
Michael said the organisation had conducted medical outreaches and empowerment programmes in different parts of the country, stressing that creating opportunities for citizens to become self-reliant remained critical to national development.
He also called for greater attention to existing primary healthcare facilities, rather than focusing predominantly on the construction of new centres.
According to him, many primary healthcare centres across the country require equipment, qualified personnel, training and effective management to make them fully functional.
“We must call a spade a spade. We must take responsibility,” he said, stressing the need to adequately equip and staff healthcare facilities to provide quality services to Nigerians.
The CHEI-IST coordinator further expressed concern over the continued migration of Nigerian doctors and other professionals abroad, popularly known as the “Japa” phenomenon.
He said improving working conditions, providing modern medical equipment and creating access to finance could encourage professionals in the diaspora to return and contribute to national development.
Michael suggested that government-backed financing schemes could assist medical professionals to establish private healthcare facilities, thereby creating better opportunities for them to practise in Nigeria.
On local government administration, he supported greater autonomy for councils, arguing that local governments were closest to the people and should have adequate authority and resources to address grassroots challenges.
He maintained that effective local governance would strengthen development at the grassroots and ultimately contribute to progress at the state and national levels.
Michael also highlighted what he described as improvements in infrastructure, workers’ salaries and security under the Tinubu administration, while stressing that CHEI-IST’s empowerment philosophy was centred on sustainable livelihood rather than temporary assistance or political handouts.
He said the organisation would continue to engage communities through empowerment, education and civic participation as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
The national coordinator urged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process, protect their votes and make political choices based on their assessment of candidates, programmes and policies.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its current challenges through sustained reforms, improved governance and greater citizen participation, stressed that the country possessed enormous potential for economic growth and development.
