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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the country had emerged from economic and security challenges, declaring it out of the woods and pledging state police to combat insecurity.
Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast with 20 governors, two deputy governors and senior officials at the State House Banquet Hall, Tinubu emphasised resilience amid ongoing efforts to rescue the nation.
Acknowledging complaints alongside progress, including from my son, the farmer from Niger (Mohammed Bago), he rallied leaders, saying, “The result of hard work is more work. But as long as we bridge together and we move together and are determined to rescue this country, the best is yet to come to Nigeria.”
In a pivotal moment, Tinubu proclaimed optimism: “We are out of the woods. We are out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty.”
He directly addressed insecurity, reaffirming a key promise, saying, “To those unemployed what I promise is that we will establish State Police to combat insecurities in our local government.”
The President also called for unity, sacrifice and inclusivity during the coinciding Ramadan and Lent periods. He praised the governors’ commitment, commended Borno’s Babagana Zulum for Ramadan feeding initiatives and 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 neighbours and service for humanity,” he earlier stated.
He commended the governors for their achievements, noting 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.”
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The event, marking the third consecutive year of Tinubu’s annual tradition, featured prayers by State House Chief Imam, Abdulwaheed (Muslim) and Taraba Governor, Agbu Kefas (Christian).
Earlier, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, 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.
“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 situation created by God to remind us Christians and Muslims, not to allow religious and ethnic differences to guide our thoughts and our political activities,” Uzodimma stated.
He praised Tinubu’s leadership, saying, “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 situations in our political environment.”
Uzodimma 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 to support the less privileged. In your wisdom, you invited us to come and eat together.”
Affirming ongoing partnership, he said: “My brother governors will continue to partner with you. 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.”
He prayed for the President, saying, “We pray to Almighty God to give you strength, good health, stronger wisdom in navigating the access of the country. We continue to pledge our loyalty to the glory of Almighty God.”
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 Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Gabriel Mutfwang of Plateau and Hyacinth Alia of Benue, among others.
