TheCable

Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano, has asked Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady, to tell President Bola Tinubu that the hardship in the country has reached alarming proportions.

Bayero spoke on Monday when he received the first lady at his palace in Kano.

He said the first lady is best placed to relate her findings about the hunger, insecurity and concerns of the people to the president.

“Although we have several means of communicating to the government on our needs and requests, your way and means are the surest way to tell the president the actual happenings in the country,” he said.

“The hunger and starvation, though didn’t start with this government, but the situation has become more alarming and needs urgent attention.

“The issue of insecurity is another serious problem we are facing. I know your government inherited it, but something more seriously should be done to address the situation.”

He also raised concerns over the relocation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) offices to Lagos, adding that Nigerians need to know the reasons behind the decision.

“We are receiving series of messages from our people. One of such message is the much-talked about relocation of CBN and FAAN to Lagos,” he said.

“I think the government should come out clean on this matter and talk to Nigerians in the language they would understand.

“Do more enlightenment on this matter. I for one cannot tell the actual intentions of the government. We should be made to actually understand why the relocation of the CBN and FAAN offices to Lagos.”

The federal government had said the headquarters of FAAN and some departments of the CBN had to be moved to Lagos to cut cost.

The Emir praised the first lady for her efforts in ensuring better welfare for children in the country.

He urged her to ensure the Renewed Hope Initiative pet programme is realised, adding that it would help tackle problems faced by the less privileged.

On February 5 and 6, some residents took to the streets in Kano and Niger states to protest the rising cost of living and food inflation.