Take development to grassroots, Tinubu urges governors at interfaith breaking of fast
…says Nigeria ‘out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty’ … Uzodinma pledges loyalty, hails President’s reforms President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday night made a passionate appeal to state governors
...says Nigeria ‘out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty’
... Uzodinma pledges loyalty, hails President’s reforms
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday night made a passionate appeal to state governors to take development to the grassroots, urging them to lift the downtrodden, empower young people and ensure opportunities reach down to the local government level as part of a collective effort to rescue the country.
Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast with 20 governors at the State House, Abuja, the President charged his guests to ignore distractions and remain focused on delivering the dividends of governance.
“I appeal again, let’s go further to embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all the supporters, be all encompassing and let’s spread the development opportunity across to the grassroots, the local government,” Tinubu said.
Describing the coincidence of the Muslim Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season as significant, the President said the period symbolised “discipline, sacrifice, faith, resilience, strong determination for us to continue to brace together, pray together and love one another.”
“It is a joy and a great honour to be with you again this year. We give thanks to Almighty God for sparing our lives and keeping us together to see another Ramadan, a great Ramadan that coincides with that of the Christian faith,” he added.
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Tinubu thanked the governors for their commitment to duty and the progress recorded in their states, noting that the reward for hard work was more work.
“I’ve seen a lot of progress being made in the states. I can’t commend you enough. The reward of hard work is more work,” he said, singling out Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, whom he fondly referred to as “my son, the farmer from Niger.”
He also commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for his Ramadan outreach to both Christians and Muslims.
“I must refer to the generosity of Professor Zulum. I saw the layout of those Ramadan outreach, both for the Christians and Muslims; that is in very good spirit,” the President said in a light-hearted remark.
Addressing internal political tensions, Tinubu advised members of his party to show tolerance during ongoing congresses.
“I will advise those that are in the same party with me to please bear in mind that those little ones too, they do cry. Tolerate everybody, build the structure in this period of faith, unity, harmony and sacrifice that you are pleading. Do it. Let the young ones breathe,” he counselled.
Acknowledging that criticisms and commendations would continue to trail governance, the President urged unity of purpose.
“There are a lot of complaints and commendations coming from all angles. They will come at me too, but as long as we brace together and we move together and determine to rescue this country, the best is yet to come to Nigeria.
“We’re out of the woods, we’re out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty. The economy is showing up. Let’s help those unemployed,” he said.
Reaffirming a major promise to Nigerians, Tinubu declared: “What I promised you is not to be postponed. We will establish state police to combat the insecurity. Start looking around you.”
Speaking with journalists after the breaking of fast, Imo State Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma, said the gathering underscored unity and partnership between the President and the governors.
“The President invited us to come and break the fast with him. It is an interfaith affair. You will agree with me, the Christians are here, Muslims are also here. We just came to eat with the President, our leader, and also thank him for all the good work he’s doing,” Uzodinma said.
He described the coincidence of Christian and Muslim fasting as a rare occurrence.
“It is once in every 33 years you will see a coincidence of Christian fasting and Muslim fasting at the same time. So this is a special way, and what it teaches us is that religious and ethnic issues should not divide us, that we need to be more united as a country to be able to develop our country", he said.
Uzodinma praised the President for fostering what he called unprecedented political stability.
“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 situation in our political environment,” he said.
Highlighting collaborative progress, the governor added: “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.”
He pledged continued partnership with the President. “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.”
Offering prayers for the President, Uzodinma said: “We pray to Almighty God to give you strength, good health, stronger wisdom in navigating the affairs 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 attended the dinner.
Other governors present included Alex Otti (Abia), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Gabriel Mutfwang (Plateau) and Hyacinth Alia (Benue), among others.
