President Bola Tinubu, holds meeting with the 36 State Governors and the FCT Minister at the State House today.
The President was accompanied to the meeting with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
The gathering centred on addressing the nation’s soaring food costs and escalating insecurity, which have both impacted citizens’ livelihoods.
Following extensive deliberations, President Tinubu and the Governors reached a consensus to collaborate closely in resolving these issues and alleviating economic burdens on the populace.
Here are the key highlights from President Tinubu’s directives to the Governors:
Addressing Insecurity: President Tinubu emphasized three pivotal measures to combat insecurity and its adverse effects on farming and food production:
A. Recruitment of additional police personnel to bolster law enforcement efforts.
B. Exploration of establishing state police forces in conjunction with the National Assembly, moving away from reliance on vigilante groups.
C. Strengthening Forest Rangers and furnishing them with necessary equipment to safeguard forested areas from criminal elements.
These initiatives, along with modalities for implementing state police, will be further discussed at the National Economic Council.
Tackling Rising Food Costs: President Tinubu advocated for collaboration between State and Federal governments to enhance local food production. He discouraged food importation and price control measures, emphasizing the need to empower local producers to meet demand.
Combatting Food Hoarding: The President instructed relevant security agencies to monitor and clamp down on warehouses hoarding food items across the country, preventing profiteering by merchants. This directive aims to ensure food accessibility and affordability for all citizens.
Boosting Livestock Development: Governors were urged to prioritize livestock development, particularly in poultry and fishing sectors, to enhance food production capacity.
Clearing Salary Arrears and Benefits: President Tinubu implored Governors to prioritize the settlement of salary arrears, gratuities, and pensions owed to workers and retirees. This measure aims to inject liquidity into the economy and uplift citizens’ welfare.
Youth Empowerment: Governors were urged to create more economic opportunities for youths within their states, fostering productive engagement and sustainable development.
President Tinubu’s meeting with State Governors underscores a concerted effort to address critical national issues and foster socio-economic prosperity.
As stakeholders collaborate to implement these directives, hopes remain high for positive outcomes and improved living standards across Nigeria.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy disclosed this on his Facebook page on Thursday evening.
