Africa ( Commonwealth Union) _ President Bola Tinubu had his inaugural meeting with the 36 state governors recently, during which he called for their cooperation to eradicate extreme poverty in Nigeria. The meeting, organized under the National Economic Council, followed the recent removal of petroleum subsidies. Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for joint efforts between the federal and state governments to address the unacceptable levels of poverty prevailing in the country.
Additionally, Tinubu instructed the National Economic Council, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, to initiate measures to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the citizens. The state governors expressed strong support for the president’s decision to end fuel subsidy payments and other early policy initiatives. Tinubu urged political leaders to set aside their differences and prioritize the alleviation of the people’s suffering.
Highlighting the importance of unity, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria should be seen as one big family sharing a common house. He believed that by embracing this perspective and working together, poverty could be eradicated. Tinubu acknowledged the challenges associated with managing a democratic system but emphasized the need to nurture it for the country’s unity and stability. He assured the governors of his open-door policy and expressed his willingness to collaborate and create frameworks for improving the livelihoods of Nigerians.
Tinubu also stressed the need to improve the education sector as a means of reducing poverty, emphasizing that investment in education was crucial. He urged the governors to tackle security challenges in their respective states collectively, regardless of whether they were directly affected by such issues.
The state governors, led by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, expressed their support for Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidies and commended his leadership and statesmanship. They assured him of their collaboration and commitment to proffering solutions through the National Economic Council. The governors shared suggestions to address the plight of citizens in their states.
During the meeting, Tinubu directed the National Economic Council, in collaboration with the economic team and petroleum marketers, to devise comprehensive intervention strategies to mitigate the hardships caused by subsidy removal. Governor Abiodun disclosed this directive and expressed confidence that the decision to remove the subsidy would ultimately yield positive results. He further announced that the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) would donate Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-compliant buses worth N10 billion to enhance Nigeria’s mass transportation network. This initiative aimed to provide employment opportunities through local assembly plants.
DAPPMAN expressed full support for the subsidy removal and applauded Tinubu for implementing the policy. The association pledged to contribute to the government’s efforts by providing functional mass transit buses that run on CNG and diesel. The buses, estimated at N100 million each and capable of seating 50 passengers, would be locally produced, leading to job creation and reducing reliance on foreign exchange.
Overall, the meeting between President Tinubu and the state governors focused on collaborative efforts to combat poverty, improve governance, address security challenges, and mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. The commitment of the governors and the support of organizations like DAPPMAN demonstrated a shared determination to work towards a prosperous and sustainable Nigeria.
