As Nigeria commemorates its 64th Independence Anniversary, while stating achievements of his administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that within one year, his administration has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever which is as a result of his target to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.
While addressing the nation on 1st October, 2024, he explained that as of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.
He promised that as soon as these bandits are eliminated from the farms in the Northern part of the nation, the farmers can do their jobs safely and that will result in abundant food supply.
“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible. As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this”
Tinubu disclosed that his government assisted the flood victims in Maiduguri by approving a Disaster Relief Fund to cater for all emergencies.
“Our government has been responding to the recent natural disasters, particularly the flooding in parts of the country. After Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, I also visited to assure our people that this federal government will always stand with our people in their times of trouble. At the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council, we approved a Disaster Relief Fund to mobilise private and public sector funds to help us respond faster to emergencies. Our government has also ordered integrity tests of all our dams in the country to avert future disasters”
He emphasized that the economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling which has made the country to attract foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year.
According to him, the move will create vibrancy and increase oil and gas production, positively impacting the economy.
“If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences”
“Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector”
“The more disciplined approach adopted by the Central Bank to monetary policy management has ensured stability and predictability in our foreign exchange market. We inherited a reserve of over $33 billion 16 months ago. Since then, we have paid back the inherited forex backlog of $7 billion. We have cleared the ways and means debt of over N30 trillion. We have reduced the debt service ratio from 97 per cent to 68 per cent. Despite all these, we have managed to keep our foreign reserve at $37 billion. We continue to meet all our obligations and pay our bills”
“We are moving ahead with our fiscal policy reforms. To stimulate our productive capacity and create more jobs and prosperity, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic ”
The President assured that many measures are being implemented to reduce the cost of living.He urged Governors of every State to embrace the mechanized farming system which was introduced by the government.
“The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide”
“As part of our efforts to re-engineer our political economy, we are resolute in our determination to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments”
“I commend the Governors particularly, in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the
Southwest Governors that have embraced our agricultural production programme. I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertilizer and making tractors and other farm equipment available. Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months”
Tinubu disclosed that the energy transition programme is on course as the government is expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. He said the Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.
He also mentioned that while working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, there is an aim towards fostering national unity and building social harmony and cohesion.For this reason, he informed that there will be a National Youth Conference designed to address challenges facing young people and to empower them.
“As we work to overcome the challenges of the day, we remain mindful of the next generation as we seek to galvanize their creative energy towards a better future. We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognizing that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects”
“I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population. It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow”
“The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations. The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria”
Speaking further, the President said his government is implementing several other youth-centric programmes to give young people an advantage in the rapidly changing world.
“We are implementing, amongst others, the 3 million Technical Talents programme (3MTT) of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone”
“We have also enthusiastically implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides cheap loans to our students to pursue their tertiary educational dreams. In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP). It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country”
Tinubu affirmed that as is the tradition, the government will soon announce all the beneficiaries of the national honours for 2024.
“The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the deputy speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) ”
The President assured that he is committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of the citizens. He pleaded for patience as the reforms his administration is implementing show positive signs.
“Fellow Nigerians, as I address you today, I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times. Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising living costs and the search for meaningful employment. I want to assure you that your voices are heard” he said.
