Nigeria out of woods, better days ahead – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Monday said Nigerians should expect better days, ahead, as the country has emerged from its economic and security challenges.
The President, speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast with 20 governors, two deputy governors and senior officials at the State House Banquet Hall, declared that the country is “out of the woods”
The President rekindled the need for state police to combat insecurity, even as he assured that terrorists will no longer hold any section of the country to ransom
Tinubu, while speaking on his administration’s plans to addressed insecurity, reaffirmed his earlier promise: adding “To those unemployed what I promise we will establish State Police to combat securities in our Local Government.”
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The President also called for unity, sacrifice, and inclusivity during the coinciding Ramadan and Lent periods.
“The result of hard work is more work… But as long as we bridge together and we move together and determine to rescue this country, the best is yet to come to Nigeria.”
“We are out of the woods. We are out of the dark turnel of uncertainty.”
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for initiating the Ramadan feeding program in Borno, called for empowering youth and grassroots development.
“You know what it means, discipline, sacrifice, Faith, perseverance, strong determination for us to continue to bridge together, pray together and love one another. Love for the community, love for our neighbors and service for humanity,” he earlier stated.
He also commended the other governors for their achievements, noting that he hadn’t expected such a large turnout amid party congresses and local engagements.
“I thank God for what we’ve been able to achieve together… We’ve seen progress. We’ve seen commitment to duty.” The President reiterated his call to spread development opportunities to local governments. “Let’s go further to embrace the young ones and all the supporters… with compassion and let’s spread the development opportunity across to the grassroots.”
Prayers were offered by Chief Imam of State House Abdulwaheed Suleiman, and Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba state.
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Earlier, Governor Hope Uzodinma, of Imo state, representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) commended President Tinubu for fostering national unity amid religious and ethnic tensions during an interfaith breaking of fast. He described the gathering as divinely inspired, adding that “It is not usually often that the Muslim Ramadan fast coincides with the Lent season, the last time was 33 years ago. This convergence is a special one created by God to remind us Christians and Muslims, not to allow religious and ethnic differences to guide our thoughts and our political activities,” Uzodinma stated. “Mr President you have brought to bear in the goings on and activities of governance in Nigeria, I have been around for some time now, playing politics. Never in the history of this country have we had the opportunity of removing political situation in our political environment.” Uzodinma highlighted collaborative progress: “You’ve done this and forged national partners in progress with governors. There are also challenges with governors.
“So this period of fasting is a holy period that God has enjoined us support the less privileged. In your wisdom, you invited us to come and eat together.”
He also assured that the governors will continue to partner with the federal government to fasttract development in the country
“We have appreciated the new reform policies you’ve given to state governments to operate, the support and the interventions, the ingenuity you have brought to bear, and the new tax reform you’ve introduced.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members were also present at the gathering. Other governors in attendance were Alex Otti of Abia, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Usman Ododo of Kogi, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano and Agbu Kefas of Taraba. Others are Francis Iwunfuru of Ebonyi, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Gabriel Mutfwang of Plateau and Hyacinth Alia of Benue among others.
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