By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
President Bola Tinubu urged Northern leaders to exert pressure on state governors to be accountable for their responsibilities. He emphasized that while he is making significant efforts to boost the nation’s revenue, it is crucial for sub-national entities to consider the needs of local communities.
These statements were made by the President during a meeting with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. He underscored the importance of state governments prioritizing the needs of local communities by ensuring transparency and efficiency in the management of local governments.
Addressing the ACF leaders, the President stated, “We are operating within a constitutional democracy. I urge you to summon the governors. I am striving to enhance the country’s revenue base, and they must also show empathy and promptly address the needs of local residents.”
“People live in local communities where they work, farm, and reside. If local governments fail to efficiently provide services, as leaders, we should not focus solely on numbers. We have 774 local government areas, but are they truly effective? Are they addressing the needs of Nigerians? Are they coordinating development initiatives with state and federal governments?”
“Who is being held accountable for the performance of the 774 local governments? Perhaps it is time to reassess. What worked well four years ago may not be suitable today. When we seek votes, we engage with local communities; once the votes are secured, attention shifts to Abuja.”
In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media &Publicity), the President emphasized the importance of education in nation-building and expressed his discontent with the situation of out-of-school children in various parts of Nigeria.
“The issue of out-of-school children is unacceptable. Education is a powerful tool against poverty, which is what brought many of us here. We must leverage our education to serve the people and enhance their living conditions. The backbone of Nigeria’s economy, the education system, must be developed. We will work closely with you on this matter.”
“We are still in the process of nation-building, and I appreciate your emphasis on the need for development. The state of infrastructure deterioration is unacceptable, and the level of poverty in the north is unacceptable. We must eradicate the root causes of these trends,” President Tinubu remarked.
Regarding security, President Tinubu praised the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his efforts, stating, “Everyone desires security, and we must invest more in technology. I assure you that we will do so. We will dedicate our efforts to ensuring the security of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens.”
The President also touched on economic development and livestock management, stating, “Animal husbandry has been a significant challenge for Nigeria. Dairy farms have the potential to significantly boost our economy.”
“Engage with the governors and encourage them to allocate more land. Collaborate with herders to work with the states. The lands are under state jurisdiction. We are prepared to provide financial support to assist the herders. We can achieve this and we will. If the Brazilians and the Dutch can do it, so can we,” the President asserted.
President Tinubu also appealed for national unity and continued support for his administration as it tackles longstanding challenges affecting the populace.
“As long as we stand united, which we must, our diversity is our strength. Our strengths and opportunities are ingrained in our population. I thank the cabinet members for their efforts, but I will not hesitate to relieve any of them of their duties if I sense that they are failing Nigerians,” the President affirmed.
He directed the establishment of a committee to address the issues raised during the meeting and appointed Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to lead the follow-up efforts.
“We must ensure that we promptly address all necessary actions,” President Tinubu stated.
Barrister Bashir Dalhatu, the leader of the ACF delegation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, congratulated President Tinubu on his first year in office and expressed the Forum’s gratitude for his accomplishments and service to the nation.
“We take this opportunity to remind Your Excellency of the invitation extended to you, which you graciously accepted, leading to a productive interactive conference at the Arewa House on the 19th of October, 2022.
“We assert that Your Excellency’s resolute, decisive, and credible commitments and assurances to Northerners, made during that meeting and throughout your election campaign, have been transformative,” the leader of the delegation stated.
Dalhatu noted that Northern Nigeria has strong faith and trust in President Tinubu, adding, “Your unwavering support for and collaboration with Northerners, which aided many in winning elections to various positions, including the presidency in the past, have solidified the affection and trust of Northerners towards you, as evidenced by voting patterns in the last presidential election.”
The ACF BOT Chairman highlighted several achievements within the President’s first year in office, including the prioritization of funding for agriculture and education, as well as fostering good relations with Nigeria’s neighboring countries.
The ACF commended the President for prioritizing the Sokoto-Badagry Highway and the Trans-Saharan Highway, as well as implementing measures to expedite the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
“With these advancements, we are highly motivated and even more confident that Your Excellency will view the North with greater compassion and strive harder to alleviate the severe economic and social challenges in Northern Nigeria,” the leader of the delegation concluded.
