From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to design and implement policies that prioritise all Nigerians and to always consider the national interest above political affiliations.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the President, made the appeal when he received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) at the State House in Abuja, on Friday. According to him, development policies would only find full relevance in people’s lives when there is inclusivity, ownership, and sustainability. Tinubu told the governors that one of the biggest challenges the nation faces was divisiveness, urging that the governing party must work towards healing and unifying the country by ensuring a collective national vision, and channeling energy and resources into nation-building. Tinubu noted that Nigeria is too blessed with human, natural, and material resources to be struggling with a dearth of quality infrastructure, quality education, and world-class health facilities. He said the entire financial system of the country would be re-engineered for inclusivity, effectiveness, and efficiency. He asked the governors to come up with a framework that would make the implementation of the school-feeding programme more comprehensive and successful across all states of the federation, taking into consideration the peculiarities of each locality, but working towards having all children in school. Tinubu also congratulated the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, for restoring irrigation systems that provide water for year-long cultivation of crops.
On security, the President said the deployment of forest guards was being considered, with better training, modern technological gadgets and weapons to strengthen security, and that the solid mineral and marine economic sectors would also be secured by special police.
Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, thanked the President for involving governors in the design and implementation of polices, as well as for intervening with financial support in the states