Minister of Works David Umahi has sparked conversations on social media after announcing that the Federal Government (FG) plans to engage 4,000 influencers to highlight President Bola Tinubu’s achievements and educate Nigerians about the administration’s projects and policies.
The Punch reported that Mr Umahi spoke on Tuesday in Abuja after receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) following the students’ inspection of federal road projects in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
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He said the Mr Tinubu administration was ready to confront criticism and opposition on social media, stressing that he was proud of the president’s efforts in developing the country’s infrastructure.
The 63-year-old said the planned influencers network would enable the government to take its message directly to Nigerians, with a particular focus on young people as the 2027 general elections approach.
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He said, “We have to fight this social media war. So, we have to launch 4,000 social media influencers to tell our stories, and I want you to advise me on how to do it. You know I am proud of what the President is doing in infrastructure.
“I’m proud of all the gains we have made in various sectors of the economy, so we have to tell our stories. If you don’t say ‘I am’, nobody will tell you who you are.”
Pavement
The former governor of Ebonyi State said the students’ assessment tour had exposed some of the infrastructure needs around tertiary institutions and helped identify areas that required further development.
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The minister also disclosed that the government was considering pedestrian bridges around university campuses following concerns brought forward by NANS during the exercise.
“The pedestrian bridge you requested, I want my directors to take note of it, and we will do it, we will do it,” he said.
The minister also raised concerns about vandalism along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that contractors were expected to complete the 105-kilometre pavement section under the ongoing construction by November.
READ ALSO: Works Minister David Umahi reacts to report on Abuja-Kaduna road contract
Vandalism
According to Mr Umahi, vandals have been damaging the project by driving vehicles through construction camps and removing essential materials, including iron rods, block walls and covers.
“People have been destroying the infrastructure. Look at Lagos; I wept when I saw the infrastructure over the weekend. People have been passing through the camps; vehicles drive over the camps to cross from one point to the other. This is not acceptable. People cut the irons we used, destroy the block walls and remove the covers.
“That is not good at all. We have to emulate what these future leaders of the country, the students, have done. They were tired of hearing about the success of infrastructure, and they went on their own to see for themselves how it positively impacts the lives and safety of their students. That is good leadership”, said the minister.
He called on Nigerians to protect public infrastructure and assured them that the government would continue engaging citizens to track the progress of its projects.
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