Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has told Nigerians to look at the bigger picture as the country’s economy will soon witness positive changes after their painful sacrifices.

Shettima who was the special guest speaker at the second Chronicle Roundtable organized by 21st Century Media Services held in Abuja on Thursday, implored on Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu as he is determined to “steer the ship of state through the economic turbulence and storm he met on ground on assumption of office.”

“Soon, Nigeria’s economy will experience significant growth once we’ve overcome these sacrifices,” Shettima said while giving his keynote address.

“Positive changes will soon be evident across all economic indicators – inflation, per capita income, GDP numbers, poverty reduction, food security, and all aspects close to the hearts of our people,” he declared.

The Vice President went on to explain some key policy decisions taken by the Tinubu administration as well as its Economic and Social Agenda, including the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, which he described as the ‘biggest elephant in the room’ before President Tinubu took charge.

“We look forward to the positive impact on the economy that will be brought by some of our new initiatives in the oil and gas sector, creative arts sector, the newly rejigged steel and solid minerals sectors, our housing sector, the blue economy, and the digital sectors, to mention but a few.

“There is no doubt that there’s a time to plant and a time to reap. Between those times, we appeal for patience and seek collective sacrifice from all, especially from us. We wish there were a way to treat this ailment without surgery.

“His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, chose the option that would save the life of the nation, instead of one that would merely prolong its imminent and predicted economic death. Before we took charge, the biggest elephant in the room was the question of fuel subsidy removal.

“We understood why our predecessor made the decision to remove it and refused to budget for it in their final fiscal year.

‘The year before we took office, Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio had grown to 111.8%. The anticipated debt crisis may sound like fancy economic jargon to the man on the street. But you and I are in a better position to understand how such miscalculations have played out in other countries. It’s an economic death sentence.

“In plain terms, our debt servicing was such that if you earned, say, N100,000, the entirety of the money wasn’t only paid to your debtor; you were forced to borrow an additional N11,800 to pay the debtor.

“How do you intend to survive this? And how many more loans before you become a pariah?

“We are not even discussing the nation’s budget deficits, diversions of resources from critical sectors of the economy, and corruption masterminded in the subsidy regime.”

In this ongoing conversation to amplify voices on media freedoms, freedom of speech, and digital rights, we feature, Maxwell Luchile, a well-known religious leader and governance activist in Luapula province.

Luchile, the Executive Director of the Vision Network Foundation (VNF), began by acknowledging improvements in media freedoms and freedom of speech while expressing concern over social media abuse.

“At Vision Network Foundation, we see media freedom, freedom of the press, and digital rights as intertwined. Without a free press, we are suffocated as a nation and miss out on the valuable contribution of the media to national development,” he said.

Speaking with Zambia Monitor in Mansa, Luchile emphasized the vital role of the media in providing essential information to the people of Zambia.

“The media acts as a watchdog to maladministration, corruption, and other societal vices. That’s how crucial the media is,” he stressed.

Luchile observed that the media serves to inform, educate, and entertain, especially in situations like ours where access to various educational information from newspapers, radio, and television channels is essential.

He noted the rise of online newspapers in the country and emphasized the importance of a free press in maintaining democracy.

While acknowledging increased media space under the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration, Luchile called for balanced and ethical journalism that defends democracy.

“We would like to see balanced and ethical journalism in the country,” he said.

Regarding digital media, he remarked that the country was embracing technology relatively late, leading to excitement about online platforms but also mishandling of social media.

Luchile stressed the need to strengthen laws governing digital media to ensure users understand the implications of social media abuse.

“Users of digital platforms need to understand the implications of abusing social media. Cyber laws and defamation laws must be discussed,” he said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.