Tinubu’s Reforms Need Time to Deliver, CHEI-IST Tells Nigerians

The Continuous Human Empowerment Initiative, Inclusive Support for Tinubu (CHEI-IST), has urged Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms more time to yield results, saying some policies require sustained implementation before their impact can be properly assessed.

The 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 its national headquarters in Area 11, Garki, Abuja.

Michael, a medical doctor, acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but argued that the administration had introduced measures which could produce positive outcomes if sustained.

He likened the country’s economic condition to that of a patient who had suffered multiple fractures, saying recovery could not be expected immediately after such a patient was taken to 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, doctors would first examine the patient, determine the extent of the injuries and prescribe appropriate treatment before recovery could begin.

He said the same principle should apply to economic reforms, stressing that policies should not be judged entirely by the hardship experienced in the early stages of implementation.

Michael described CHEI-IST as a non-political empowerment initiative involved in civic engagement because of the close relationship between political leadership, economic policies and the welfare of citizens.

He said the organisation had carried out medical outreaches and empowerment programmes in different parts of the country, with interventions covering healthcare, agriculture, youth development and skills acquisition.

He maintained that empowering citizens with sustainable opportunities remained critical to tackling poverty and improving living standards.

On healthcare, Michael called for greater attention to existing primary healthcare centres, rather than focusing predominantly on the construction of new facilities.

He said many primary healthcare centres were already available but lacked the equipment, personnel, training and management required to function effectively.

“We must call a spade a spade. We must take responsibility,” he said, insisting that healthcare facilities must be adequately equipped and staffed to deliver quality services.

The physician also raised concern over the continued migration of Nigerian doctors and other professionals abroad, popularly described as the “Japa” phenomenon.

He argued that improving working conditions, providing modern medical equipment and creating access to finance could make returning to Nigeria more attractive to professionals abroad.

Michael suggested government-backed financing schemes that would enable medical professionals to establish private facilities and create opportunities for those willing to return and practise in the country.

He also advocated greater autonomy for local governments, arguing that councils were closest to the people and therefore better positioned to identify and respond to grassroots challenges.

According to him, adequately empowered local councils could drive development from the grassroots and complement efforts at the state and federal levels.

The CHEI-IST coordinator also pointed to infrastructure development, workers’ salaries and security as areas where he said the Tinubu administration had recorded improvements.

He said the organisation’s empowerment programmes were designed to provide people with sustainable means of livelihood instead of relying on temporary interventions or political handouts.

Michael said CHEI-IST would continue its community engagement, empowerment and civic participation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He urged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process, safeguard their votes and make political choices based on the records, competence and policies of candidates.

While acknowledging the challenges confronting the country, he expressed optimism that sustained reforms, improved governance and active citizen participation could put Nigeria on the path to greater prosperity.