President Bola Tinubu on Monday night reaffirmed his pledge to set machinery in motion for the establishment of State Police to address security challenges.
He restated his determination at an inter-faith breaking of fast with governors and senior officials at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
He said: “To those unemployed, what I promise we will establish State Police to combat securities in our Local Government.”
Appraising the impact of his administration’s economic policies, expressed optimism as he declared that the gains are percolating to the sub-nationals.
“The result of hard work is more work. “But as long as we bridge together and we move together and determine to rescue this country, the best is yet to come to Nigeria.”
While calling for unity and sacrifice, Tinubu praised the governors commitment to deliver on electoral promises to the people.
He praised the governors of Niger and Borno states, the latter for youth empowerment programmes and grassroots development.
Turning to Governor Babagana Zulum, the President said:” You know what it means, discipline, sacrifice, Faith, perseverance, strong determination for us to continue to bridge together, pray together and love one another. Love for the community, love for our neighbors and service for humanity.”
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma who represented his Kwara State counterpart and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended President Tinubu’s focus on national unity despite prevailing ethnic and religious tensions.
He said:” President you have brought to bear in the goings on and activities of governance in Nigeria, I have been around for some time now, playing politics. Never in the history of this country have we had the opportunity of removing political situation in our political environment.”
“You’ve done this and forged national partners in progress with governors. There are also challenges with governors. So this period of fasting is a holy period that God has enjoined us support the less privileged. In your wisdom, you invited us to come and eat together.”
“My brother governors will continue to partner with you. We have appreciated the new reform policies you’ve given to state governments to operate, the support and the interventions, the ingenuity you have brought to bear, and the new tax reform you’ve introduced.”
“We pray to Almighty God to give you strength, good health, stronger wisdom in navigating the access of the country. We continue to pledge our loyalty, to the glory of Almighty God.”
At the State House were the Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; his Edo state counterpart, Monday Okpebholo and the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo (Others were Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba).
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members also joined the governors at the dinner.
Checks revealed that Monday gathering marks the third consecutive year the President has convened governors for fast-breaking gathering at the Aso Rock Villa.