The Community Initiative for Character Moulding and Entrepreneurship Development (CiCMED), an NGO, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its efforts to transform the country.
Mr Kefas Tigga, Chief Executive Officer of CiCMED, made the call on Sunday at the close of the Future Planters LEAD Africa Festival 2025 in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
Tigga acknowledged the challenges confronting the administration, saying the period demanded unity and encouragement rather than criticism.
“Anyone who understands leadership knows this is not the easiest season for President Bola Tinubu. Nigerians should encourage, unite and stand with the President,” he said.
He commended the administration for reforms in resource allocation, economic stabilisation, MSME support and security.
“We are seeing gradual stabilisation of the Naira, a decline in inflation and more transparent resource allocation. This is not the time to tear down the nation with sentiments; it is a time to build together,” he added.
Tigga also praised Gov. Abdullahi Sule for what he described as transformational leadership in Nasarawa State, noting that his tenure had repositioned the state.
“The story of Nasarawa State cannot be told without Sule’s name written in gold. He has made Nasarawa a continental reference point in lithium mining, agriculture, infrastructure and human capital development,” he said.
He urged the governor to contest for the Nasarawa North Senate seat in 2027, saying Sule’s achievements qualified him for higher national service.
“For us, this is not retirement but deployment. After the Senate, Nigeria may still call your name for higher service,” he said.
The CiCMED CEO reiterated the commitment of the Future Planters Network to nation-building, saying the 2025 festival had strengthened the movement across Africa.
“We have built leadership, character, innovation, entrepreneurship and community development among young people. This year alone, we trained hundreds in leadership, agriculture, financial literacy, climate action and entrepreneurial development.
“Today, our network has grown to more than 14,000 young people across Northern Nigeria and continues to expand across Africa,” he said.
He said the Future Planters Network had become “a movement of vision, discipline, courage, faith, creativity and action”, adding that the youth were not only planning the future but “planting and building it”.
Tigga called on ministries, agencies and development partners to collaborate with the network to advance national development goals.
He appreciated volunteers, especially Dr Ahmed Mohammed-Musa, the Accountant-General of Nasarawa State, as well as partners, government agencies and supporters of the 2025 programme.
“We call on youths, development partners and government agencies to support our programmes in character development, entrepreneurship, climate action, women empowerment and leadership.
“We believe in a better Nigeria and a stronger Africa. Together, we will make our communities work better and build a rising Africa,” he added. (NAN)