Tinubu Seeks Partnership with State Governors to End Extreme Poverty

President Bola Tinubu yesterday held his maiden meeting with the 36 state governors where he sought their partnership to end extreme poverty in the country. The meeting took place on the aegis of the National Economic Council, NEC, following the removal of petroleum subsidy about 10 days ago.

He stressed the need for the governors to collaborate with the federal government in tackling the menace of poverty in the country, saying the level of impoverishment was unacceptable.

This was just as the president directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to commence the process of working out intervention initiatives to ameliorate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the citizens.

According to a statement issued by State House Director of Information, Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, the 36 state governors at the meeting with the president expressed strong support for his decision to end fuel subsidy payments in the country and other early policy initiatives of the administration.

The president advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.

“We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary; it is from society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building,’’ he said.

Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family.

According to him: “We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results”.

The president said good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.

“Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.

“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations who are over a hundred years in democracy.

“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,’’ Tinubu told the governors, while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.

The president said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

“What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room, before the nation sinks.

“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanise the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform.

“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he noted.

Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury, saying, “how do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.’’

He also drew attention to the security challenge in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.

The governors, who took turns to speak when the President hosted members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, at the State House, expressed happiness with the president’s subsidy-removal decision, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.

They congratulated Tinubu for tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision.

NGF Chairman, AbdulRasaq, thanked the president for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the federal government in meeting the targets of human development.

“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,’’ he said.

The governors made suggestions, highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the President of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.

The meeting, which was attended by Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States, in attendance. Those present at the NGF’s maiden meeting with President Tinubu included the governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Rev. Ft. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Nasiru Idris (Kebbi), Alex Otti (Abia), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).

The deputy governors of Edo, Philip Shaibu and of Niger, Yakubu Garba, represented their states at the meeting.

Those conspicuously absent at the meeting were governors of Dikko Radda (Katsina), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Prof. Babagana Zulum (Borno), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Prof. Charles Soludo (Anambra), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe) and Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto).

In a related development, Governor Abiodun, disclosed the directive to NEC to newsmen yesterday, after leading members of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), on courtesy visit to the President

He said the president has asked NEC led by the vice president to swing into action and come up with necessary interventions to mitigate hardship associated with petroleum subsidy removal.

He noted that Tinubu’s action showed his determination and courage to remove the hemorrhage that had bedevilled the country for decades.

The governor said while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off as there can be no gains without pains.

Commenting on the issue of government’s interventions to ease the hardship streaming from the removal of fuel subsidy, Abiodun said Tinubu instructed a coordinated approach between government, through the NEC and the economic team, and petroleum marketers to structure out a wholesome intervention.