In a pivotal gathering at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu convened with Vice President Kashim Shettima and all 36 state governors, alongside the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The session, prompted by mounting concerns over the soaring prices of essential commodities, insecurity, and the lingering issue of salary and gratuity payments owed to workers and retirees, underscored the urgent need for collaborative action.
The disclosure came through a tweet shared by Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, as highlighted in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Key takeaways from the meeting include:
1. Security Measures: President Tinubu outlined a three-point strategy to combat insecurity, crucial for safeguarding farming and food production. This entails bolstering police forces through increased recruitment, exploring the establishment of state police in lieu of vigilante groups, and empowering forest rangers to secure wooded areas against criminal elements. Further discussions on these modalities are slated for the National Economic Council.
2. Food Security: Emphasising the imperative of domestic food production, President Tinubu urged collaboration between state and federal authorities to ramp up local agricultural output. He cautioned against over-reliance on food imports and advocated for incentivizing local producers to enhance production capacity.
3. Crackdown on Profiteering: Drawing attention to the issue of food hoarding and profiteering, the President directed law enforcement agencies to monitor warehouses across the nation and curb exploitative practices by commodity traders. This move seeks to ensure fair distribution and pricing of essential food items.
4. Livestock Development: Recognising the significance of livestock in ensuring food security, the President urged governors to prioritise the development of poultry and fishing industries within their respective states.
5. Clearance of Salary Arrears: With states experiencing increased revenue allocations, President Tinubu urged governors to expedite the clearance of salary arrears, gratuities, and pension payments. This measure aims to inject liquidity into the economy and alleviate financial burdens on workers and retirees.
6. Youth Empowerment: In a bid to address unemployment and create economic opportunities, President Tinubu called upon governors to focus on initiatives that engage the youth productively, fostering entrepreneurship and skill development.
The consensus reached in the meeting underscores a concerted effort to confront pressing national challenges and mitigate their impact on citizens’ well-being. As the nation navigates these multifaceted issues, collaborative action at both federal and state levels emerges as a cornerstone of effective governance.
