Tinubu holds meeting with governors to address national challenges

President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, convened a significant meeting today Thursday, February 15, at the State House, bringing together all 36 State Governors and the FCT Minister.

The primary focus of the gathering was to collectively address pressing national issues, notably the escalating cost of food and the persistent insecurity challenges confronting the nation.

Following extensive deliberations, President Tinubu and the Governors emerged with a unified commitment to tackle these challenges head-on and alleviate the economic strain faced by citizens.

The key highlights from the meeting include addressing the menace of insecurity, President Tinubu outlined a comprehensive strategy, including plans to bolster the security apparatus by recruiting more police personnel.

He expressed a commitment to explore the establishment of state police forces in collaboration with the National Assembly, aimed at enhancing security measures at the subnational level.

He also urged Governors to strengthen their Forest Rangers and equip them adequately to combat criminal activities in forested areas.

In response to the soaring cost of food, President Tinubu emphasized the imperative for collaboration between State and Federal governments to boost local food production. He advocated for a shift away from food importation, stressing the need to empower local producers to meet the nation’s food demand.

In a bid to curb the hoarding of food items by merchants, the President directed law enforcement agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser, to monitor and prevent such practices.

This directive aims to ensure fair access to essential commodities and prevent profiteering.

The President underscored the importance of prioritizing livestock development, particularly in the poultry and fishing sectors, to enhance food security nationwide.

While he recognized the financial strains faced by workers and retirees, the President urged Governors to expedite the clearance of all outstanding salary arrears, gratuities, and pensions, thereby injecting liquidity into the economy and alleviate financial hardships.

During his closing remarks, President Tinubu appealed to Governors to focus on youth empowerment initiatives, creating more economic opportunities to engage the youth productively and foster socio-economic development.

However, the meeting was concluded with a commitment to further discuss modalities for implementing state police and addressing security concerns at the National Economic Council.