President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that with the hitherto abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex now nearing completion, the project will have the capacity to employ 500,000 Nigerians once designated as a free trade zone.
He made the disclosure in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign for Kogi State.
The President further promised to fully harness the potentials of the Complex once it is completed, as it would boost Nigeria’s foreign direct investment and provide an avenue for the creation of the much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors to thrive.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Muhammadu Buhari Square, in Lokoja, VP Shettima also noted that Tinubu remained committed to completing the constructions of the Kabba-Lokoja and the Abuja-Lokoja roads.
According to the Vice President, President Tinubu “is a man of plenty ideas who is determined to reposition the nation in its rightful place, especially as it borders on restructuring and stimulating the Nigerian economy.
“Given Mr President’s commitment to the development of Kogi State and indeed the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a Governor who is hostile to the center. We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation.”
Crop Processing
He further hinted about plans by the Tinubu administration to make the Itakpe crop processing project a dream come true, just as he promised jobs and affordable education under the present government.
Re-emphasising that the welfare of the citizenry would never be willfully compromised, VP Shettima called on Kogi citizens to come out en masse on November 11 to vote for the candidate of the APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in order to consolidate on the achievements of the APC government in the state.
He said that the natural endowments of Kogi State would be harnessed for the development of the state and the nation at large, adding that President Tinubu had further given his nod for the rehabilitation of Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State.
Speaking earlier, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, thanked President Tinubu for accepting to flag off the governorship campaign in his State, disclosing that his administration has achieved a lot, and it is time for consolidation in order to move the state forward.
“We have done a lot in the area of security, education and health, among others. We want to consolidate on that. I am, therefore, calling on the people of our dear state to vote for our candidate in order to move Kogi State forward,” he said.
Kogi State APC governorship candidate, Ahmed Ododo, pledged to carry the people of the state along if elected, saying he remained committed to the development agenda of Kogi State.
Lateefah Ibrahim
