President Bola Tinubu has assured the nation that the economy is on a steady path to recovery.
Meeting with the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, at the State House on Thursday, the President emphasized his unwavering commitment to addressing the plight of Nigerian citizens.
“I asked for this job, and I approached some of you to support me. I have no excuse not to do the job with sincerity of purpose and honesty. I have committed myself to it diligently, and I will never look backwards,” President Tinubu declared, acknowledging the support he received from the traditional rulers.
The president highlighted the various initiatives already in place to bring the government closer to the people, such as the activation of the student loan program, the consumer credit scheme, and the affirmation of fiscal autonomy for local government councils.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Finance will ensure that funds reach the grassroots for both human and infrastructural development.
“Today, the Bank of Agriculture is empty. We have to reactivate it. If they are not talking about flooding, they are talking of banditry. We have to start all over again. Yes, infrastructural decay is there,” he stated, outlining the challenges and the steps being taken to address them.
President Tinubu also mentioned the economic potential of infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar coastal road.
“The Lagos-Calabar coastal road is not being done without studies. It is an economic energizer. From it, we can create infrastructure along the route to develop wind energy and generate power, and we can expand our irrigation network,” he explained.
The president reassured the traditional rulers that security is a top priority and will continue to receive attention. “Security is getting better, but we cannot take our eyes off the camera because it takes one accident for things to flare up. We are managing it,” he said.
He also spoke about the importance of supporting students and expanding consumer credit to rejuvenate the economy. “We have created instruments to support the students so that they get education, consumer credit to expand the economy, to improve the purchasing power of the people in order to rejuvenate the economy within a short period of time. We are still recalibrating our oil usage,” President Tinubu noted.
The president urged the traditional rulers to communicate the government’s genuine intentions to their communities.
“Now, we are sending money to the local governments. I addressed the governors today on that issue. I have been distributing fertilizer, rice, and other items to support the recovery of citizens. I assure you, Nigerians, we are looking at the light at the end of the tunnel. I can assure you, this economy will be revived, will survive, and prosper,” he emphasized.
In response, the Sultan of Sokoto expressed confidence in the President’s plans and the open dialogue that had taken place.
“I believe that this brief meeting will clear some issues that many people have in their minds. At our meeting on Monday, we had a very open discussion on all issues affecting the nation. We are the ones who will tell you the truth about what is happening in our various communities,” he said.
The Ooni of Ife also expressed gratitude for the detailed briefings from the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the GCEO of NNPCL.
“We heard from the GCEO of NNPCL. They are the ones that propel our economy. We have heard from the Minister of Finance. We also heard from the Minister of Budget and the NSA. We want to encourage you, Mr. President, we will all get back to our various communities and let our people know because none of us locks our palaces,” he added.
The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to transparency and engagement with traditional leaders as part of a broader effort to navigate Nigeria through its current economic challenges and towards a more prosperous future.
