We Can See Poverty On Faces Of Nigerians - President Tinubu

President Ahmed Tinubu has called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to tackle the menace of poverty in the country. The president, who made the call when he hosted members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), at the State House, Abuja, on the Wednesday, said the level of impoverishment is unacceptable. President Tinubu advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.

We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from the society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building, he said in a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director, Information. We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results, he added.

The president said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians. What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room, before the nation sinks. We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanise the economy, and put resources in place? We must think and perform.

After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account, he said. Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury: How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you. The President, who also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonished the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it is only for those facing it.

The governors, who took turns to speak, expressed happiness with the president’s subsidy-removal decision, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship. They congratulated Tinubu for tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision.