President Bola Tinubu in company of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House met, on February 15, with the 36 States Governors and the FCT Minister. The meeting agreed on common ground to addressing some of the challenges currently facing the country especially the rising cost of food and insecurity.
After extensive deliberations the president and the governors agreed to work together to solve the problems and tackle the economic pressure being faced by the citizens.
This six key takeaways from the meeting, as disclosed by the president’s spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in a statement made available to the media, were expectedly on insecurity, rising cost of food items, and the need for governors to deal with profiteers. Other critical areas addressed were for governors to pay more attention to agriculture, payment of salaries and more attention on economic activities for the youths.
On insecurity, which is also affecting farming and food production, President Tinubu reportedly made three key pronouncements, which included the recruitment of more police personnel to strengthen the force; governors were informed of the Federal Government resolve to work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states.
Modalities for State Police and addressing security issues to be discussed further at National Economic Council, just as the President charged the Governors to strengthen their Forest Rangers and arm them to keep all the forest safe from criminals.
On rising cost of food, the statement reads thus: “The President directed that the state Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production. The President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce more food.
“President advised Governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants. He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Security Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants.
“President charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products. He pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to retired workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people”, he further urged the governors
Mr. President did not forget the teeming youths as he implored Governors to create more economic opportunities for them in their states, so as to keep them more productively engaged.
