Abati harps on prudent fund Mgt, urges FG to focus on services over privileges

Thelma Osatohanmwen




Renowned Nigerian journalist and media personality, Reuben Abati, has highlighted the critical role of prudent fund management in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

Speaking on “Real Talk with Kike Show” with the topic “Unveiling the Tapestry of Impactful Journalism in Nigeria,” hosted by Kikelomo Atanda-owo, he emphasized the mismanagement of available funds as a major cause of the government’s woes.

Abati knocked the utilization of loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), pointing out that instead of judiciously deploying the funds, considerable amounts were spent on renovating the state house, purchasing vehicles for the first lady’s office and National Assembly members.

Drawing parallels with countries like Malawi and Zambia, he urged against splurging when the nation is facing challenges.

During the talk show, Abati brought attention to discrepancies in the COP28 UAE program, where Nigeria seemed uncertain about the number of delegates in attendance.

He also stressed the need for political leadership to prioritise service over privileges, especially when asking citizens to make sacrifices.

Using Zambia and Malawi as examples, Abati called for a shift in government focus towards the people’s welfare, emphasizing that sacrifices should begin with the government itself.

He also addressed issues related to the judiciary, elections, palliatives, and the new minimum wage, urging Nigerians not to lose hope as the government’s promises would eventually materialise.

He highlighted the essential role of journalists in shaping the narrative, urging them to initiate crusade for the people’s rights, hold leaders accountable, and remain objective, fair, and accurate, utilizing the constitution as a guiding principle.

His words: “The country has just taken a loan from the IMF because they had to save funds, Malawi is not in COP28 in Dubai which will end on December 12 from November 30 and now, Nigeria is there.

“422 delegates from FG, 590, but on the website of the submit itself it says, 1411 persons are in attendance. So, the political leadership has to focus more on service rather than privileges, in the supplementary budget, Nigerians who arrived when they saw that so much money was being devoted to renovations of state house, purchase of vehicles for the office of first lady and all of those details and members of the national assembly.

“The examples that we have seen from a country like Malawi and also from Zambia is a glove, when your country is in track you don’t splurge. You don’t spend money anyhow” He added