By Ochiaka Ugwu
High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Amb. Abhishek Singh has pledged more support for members of Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN), journalists covering the diplomatic community in Nigeria.
Amb. Singh who made this pledge Tuesday in Abuja at a Free-Eye-Screening event for DICAN members organized by Indian High Commission in Nigeria assured of the Commission’s readiness to provide whatever assistance required to the best of its abilities.
Singh while noting that India being the largest democracy in the world and Nigeria largest in Africa highlighted the importance of media to democracy.
He stressed that apart from three organs of democracy Executive, Legislature and Judiciary which act as checks and balances, media was indeed the fourth wheel of democracy.
Singh noted that steady interactions with media was an important-element of their diplomacy in Nigeria.
He expressed happiness for organizing the eye camp with the help of Skipper Eye-Q Eye Hospital, saying it would provide journalists with opportunity to undergo eye examinations and receive professional medical advice.
While stating that healthy eyesight was vital for all individuals, especially for media personnel, who serve as the eyes and ears of society, Singh expressed hope on interacting with several media on issues of important bilateral dimensions in future.
Also speaking, General Manager of Skipper Eye-Q Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Dr. Ajay Chaudhary said the screening was important as it will enable one to know his eye health situation for further eye treatment if need be.
Chaudhary also announced free screening for professionals impacting the society like journalists, lawyers, health workers and 30 percent discount in case of treatment.
He noted that most state governors belong to the APC and are implementing policies aligned with those of the Federal Government, making it difficult to separate state-level outcomes from federal economic decisions.
Adebayo further criticised the government’s borrowing strategy, claiming that much of the growth recorded in Nigeria’s foreign reserves is linked to loans rather than productive economic expansion.
“They have engaged in heavy borrowing since coming into office, and a significant portion of the reserves being celebrated is already spoken for,” he said.
He sinularly questioned the credibility of official inflation figures, arguing that they fail to capture the realities of fuel prices, transportation costs and the broader cost-of-living pressures confronting Nigerians.
The SDP stalwart maintained that until economic policies result in tangible improvements in the daily lives of citizens, claims of success by the administration would remain disconnected from reality.
“The president and the country are better served by an honest assessment of the economy than by defensive arguments that do not reflect what Nigerians are experiencing,” Adebayo said.
