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“Let me take the abuse”, you take the privileges, Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of, I will drive the change, Tinubu tells governors

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Autonomy drive not to take councils away from states
NGF aligns with President’s leadership for progress
Governors are critical to food security and prosperity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday.

He reminded them that their leadership at the subnational level is central to achieving rapid national growth.

He expressed gratitude for their collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort.

The President spoke when Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) paid him a New Year homage at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence.

“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development.

“The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you.

“The agricultural value chain depends on you.

“You own the land, and the job is in your hands,” President Tinubu said.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu stressed the importance of unity and shared responsibility in driving grassroots development.

He assured the governors there was no intention to undermine their control over local governments.

He urged them to focus on delivering transformative governance at the grassroots, noting that effective local governance was crucial to restoring hope and improving lives.

Quashing rumours of a rift over local government autonomy, President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to fostering a partnership that prioritises the welfare of the people and strengthens democratic institutions.

He said: “We will not fight within us. I will drive the change.

“You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government.

“Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.”

Calling for stronger collaboration, the President added: “We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves.

“Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us.”

He also urged the governors to take pride in their efforts.

“There is no state we visit and not be proud of its development. We have better allocations now.

“Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.

Reflecting on his leadership journey in the last 19 months, the President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to thrive.

“I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together.

“I thank all of you for where we are today and where we are heading,” he said.

The President announced that he will visit Enugu on January 4.

President Tinubu welcomed his declaration by ThisDay as Man of the Year.

Activist to Tinubu: prioritise welfare
According to him, “what they considered a failure initially is now a success.”

NGF chairman/Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak described ThisDay’s decision as a significant endorsement of the administration’s policies.

He noted that the acknowledgement from a newspaper known for critical media coverage reflects the tangible progress made.

“The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest.

“So, most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos, store them for the rainy day.

“So, in terms of agriculture, the policy is working. We’ll continue to deepen that and ensure we are 100 per cent sustained in food security and feed the whole of West Africa,” he said.

The governor urged the President to visit states to see the ongoing transformations firsthand.

He assured the President of the steadfast support of the governors, particularly in contributing to local security architecture to further enhance the nation’s security.

“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term”, AbdulRazaq said.

“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it.”

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the state helmsmen’s resolve to support the President’s leadership and vision.

He said they appreciate President Tinubu’s strong leadership and determination to transform the country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima assured Nigerians that the positive impact of the Tinubu Administration’s policies will begin to manifest in the coming weeks and months.

Speaking during the visit, Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s economic trajectory and a brighter future for its citizens.

He noted that the economy is already showing signs of recovery.

He expressed confidence that 2025 will herald significant economic activity and improvement in the lives of citizens.

Shettima said: “The economy has started picking up, and in the coming weeks and months, Nigerians will start smiling for the better.

“We are working assiduously with the National Assembly to come up with robust solutions to our national challenges.

“No nation is immune to the economic headwinds across the world.

“The crisis in Ukraine and so many other global trends are affecting us adversely because we are part of the global community.

“But I want to assure Nigerians that the economy is turning the corner, by the grace of God, we have crossed the Rubicon and we are on a path to sustained growth.

“We wish Nigerians well.”

ROLL CALL OF GOVERNORS

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara); Hope Uzodimma (Imo); Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano); Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers); Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); Babagana Zulum (Borno); Monday Okpebholo (Edo); Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti): Peter Mbah (Enugu): Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa) and Ahmed Ododo (Kogi).

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Tinubu returns from Paris today, Says Onanuga

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President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Nigeria today after spending close to two weeks abroad, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed.

Onanuga, in a brief post on X, wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”

The Presidency had earlier assured Nigerians that despite the President’s stay overseas, he remained fully engaged with national governance.

In a statement last Thursday, Onanuga explained: “The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”

He further emphasised that Tinubu’s absence was temporary and “in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks,” with his return scheduled for April 21, following the Easter holidays.

“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership.

“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the statement added.

Tinubu had departed for Paris on April 2, 2025, for what the Presidency described as a two-week working visit. According to Onanuga, the trip was intended to “appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.”

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Opeifa request for the state government to assist the Railway Police and Otti, thanks Tinubu for picking the best material to rewrite Nigeria Railway history

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Gov. Otti describes Opeifa as a thorough-bred professional ready to rewrite Nigeria Railway history
Lauds President Tinubu for picking the best material to reposition Nigeria’s oldest corporation

A deserving commendation came the way of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, as the Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, described him as an exceptional professional, most suitable to lead the Nigeria’s oldest surviving public corporation.

Governor Otti spoke on Wednesday, at the Government House in Abia State, during a business visit by the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, as part of his familiarization tour of the Eastern District of the Corporation.

According to Governor Otti: “I have had so many engagements with past leaders of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, you are clearly different and knows the job”. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Opeifa to lead the Nigerian Railway Corporation, expressing assurance at his ability to deliver.

He thanked the MD/CEO for promising to synergize with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and the State Government to see that the transformation of the transportation system in Umuahia is achieved. According to the Governor, “Umuahia Bus terminal is progressing rapidly and we felt that it is important to replicate what we have in Paignton, United Kingdom in Umuahia, by linking the train station with the Terminal to enhance intermodal transportation services.

The Governor stated that he was very happy to see that the MD/CEO is committed to taking the track from Aba to Enugu and even beyond. He recalled, with nostalgia how the train had served the people of the state and regretted the downward trends of rain services across the entire South East.

On the MD/CEO’s request for the state government to assist the Railway Police in the state, Governor Otti promised that his government will provide mobility for Aba Railway Police.

He added that the state government is always ready to support the Federal Government institutions as users of such federal institutions are people of the state, adding that his administration cannot differentiate between federal and state government workers.

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Airlin Advocacy Commissions Jos Office, Targets 7m Members By Next Elections,Says Mohammed Gamawa

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During the inauguration ceremony, the National Chairman of Airlin, Mohammed Gamawa, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to educating Nigerians on their civic rights and responsibilities.

According to Gamawa, Airlin aims to bridge the gap between citizens and the principles of the rule of law by fostering a society where people understand not only their rights but also what is expected of them by the country.

“Our goal is to foster interaction among Nigerians, promote respect for the rule of law, and ensure citizens know their rights and civic responsibilities — such as voting to elect future leaders not based on materialism but based on integrity and competence,” Gamawa stated.

He added that understanding and exercising one’s franchise, especially during elections, must go hand in hand with being law-abiding and fully aware of civil responsibilities.

As part of its mission, Airlin is currently targeting 19 states in Northern Nigeria, with Jos becoming the 15th state to be commissioned.

The ceremony also featured the appointment of state and local government coordinators who will help drive the organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts.

With a current membership base of 2.1 million Nigerians aged 18 and above, Airlin projects a significant growth trajectory, aiming to reach 7 million members before the next general elections.

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