President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on state governors to sustain the ongoing efforts that have yielded economic relief to Nigerians, urging them to remain committed to the collective mission of national progress.
The President attributed the success of economic reforms to the collective effort of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the collaboration of leaders at the subnational levels.
Speaking during the first Iftar of the Ramadan season at the State House, Abuja, on Monday evening, President Tinubu acknowledged the resilience of both the federal and state governments in tackling economic challenges.
Emphasising the need for unity in governance the President expressed confidence in the ability of the sub-nationals to continue driving positive change.
“I want us to just continue doing what we’re doing, to do more for our people,” the President said,
“The history will just be there for you to rehearse and remember. Look upon yourself as a great navigator that will bring this country back to its promising self”, he said.
Addressing an audience that included governors, ministers, service chiefs, and heads of federal agencies, President Tinubu recounted the administration’s early challenges.
He recalled his remarks during the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, where he likened the task ahead to “fetching water from a dry well.”
Despite these challenges, he noted that the economy has begun to stabilise, with food prices showing signs of moderation.
“Unusually, this is the Ramadan period when prices and speculators dwell on commodities, and food prices will go up, but we thank God that things are getting calmer and better. It means we’ve worked hard collectively to turn around”, he said.
President Tinubu underscored the importance of responsible governance, urging leaders to focus on prudent financial management.
“We make sure that we can only spend the money, but not the people. And you, at the sub-national level, too, you’re doing all you can to spend the money and not the people,” he told the governors.
The Nigerian Leader further stressed the importance of national unity, describing Nigeria as a single house with different rooms.
“Abdulaziz mentioned diversity, as always illustrated by me. The fact that we’re all in the same house, look at the map of Nigeria again, it’s the same house, but we’re living in different rooms,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, the President assured the nation of his continued dedication to governance.
“May God continue to abide with us, with hope and strength and all the energies required to do good and push this country better than it is today. I promise you I’ll continue to work hard”, he said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, thanked the President for the bold and decisive reform of the Nigerian economy.
The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, who led the Christian prayers, said, “It is no coincidence that Muslims and Christians are fasting at the same time.”
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, noted that the prices of goods and foodstuffs were steadily dropping.
The minister said the reforms had also improved livelihoods while commending the President for his courage.
The dinner was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members.
Governors present at the event included Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).
Also in attendance were key government agency heads, including the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad; Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa; Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu; and Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and the CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, were also part of the gathering.
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