Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration will intensify efforts to tackle the security challenges confronting various parts of the country, assuring that the safety and well-being of citizens remain a top priority.
The President made the pledge on Sunday in Lagos while hosting Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 state governors at his residence for the Eid el-Fitr celebration.
He disclosed that he had already initiated high-level discussions with foreign partners, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to secure equipment and support for modern security interventions.
“Your presence here today and the number show your sincerity, commitment and value for friendship and togetherness,” President Tinubu told the governors. “The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face, and that is the challenge of insecurity in the country.”
The President described insecurity as “an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity,” and expressed appreciation that the governors were equally mindful of the challenge.
He reassured the gathering that he was committed to strengthening the necessary contacts and networks to address the situation. “One of the major discussions in the United Kingdom was on equipment and support. I can report to you that yesterday, again, I had a lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. They are collaborating with us for equipment and support. I am also making frantic efforts to contact other nations,” he stated.
President Tinubu and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, had returned on Friday from a three-day State Visit to the United Kingdom, where they were hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. During the visit, the President also held a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer before his return to Nigeria for the Eid-el-Fitr festivities.
The President used the occasion to urge the state governors to remain steadfast and resilient in translating their ideas and visions into policies and programmes that directly impact the livelihoods of citizens. He also called on them to support the federal government in tackling what he described as the “tyranny” of criminals.
Addressing economic concerns, President Tinubu acknowledged that the ongoing Middle East crisis could trigger inflationary pressures and affect the nation’s purchasing power. He warned that labour unions and other stakeholders might soon demand additional support to cushion the effects of the crisis on energy and transportation prices.
“I know this Middle East crisis will spike inflation and affect our purchasing power. The labour union and others will be gearing to ask us to support more due to the effect of the Middle East war and crisis,” the President said. He advised the governors to provide further incentives to mitigate the anticipated impact.
The President also commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for his recent condolence visit to Borno State, assuring the people of the state that stronger protection would be delivered through the deployment of new technology.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, thanked the President for his interventions through the Renewed Hope Agenda. He extended Eid-el-Fitr greetings on behalf of his colleagues and prayed for sustainable peace in the country.
AbdulRazaq congratulated the President on the success of the State Visit to the United Kingdom, describing it as “bold and significant.” He noted that the visit, the first of its kind in 37 years, signalled a new level of relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
On the issue of state police, the NGF Chairman disclosed that discussions were ongoing with various security agencies led by the National Security Adviser. He added that the governors had made their contributions and would soon take the document to the National Assembly to establish a legislative framework for state policing.
“Together, we must see that the issue of insecurity comes to an end. Regarding state police, discussions are ongoing with various security agencies led by the National Security Adviser, and the NGF has made its contributions. The NGF will take the document to the National Assembly to see how we can have a legislative framework for the state police,” AbdulRazaq stated.
Governors present at the meeting included: Sen. Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).
Others were: Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina), Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Caleb Mufwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Agbu Keffas (Taraba), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, also attended the meeting.
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