President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says bringing about improvements in the welfare of the generality of Nigerians is the primary focus of his administration.
To this end, he says his government is looking to review Nigeria’s official minimum wage to make it better reflect the economic realities of the times.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Tinubu said his administration would be coming out with more people-focused economic policies to improve the standard of living of Nigerians.
Along these lines, the president had in his inauguration speech last Monday, that he was committed to upgrading the country’s inadequate infrastructure, with a view to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and spread prosperity.
President Tinubu said on Friday, that he would maintain an open-door policy, entertain issues, deliberate, and collectively find solutions to the challenges facing the country, including security.
“If we work together, the Nigeria of our dreams is not far away”, he assured.
He spoke while receiving members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) led by their chairman, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, at the State House Abuja.
Tinubu said the national and sub-national governments would work together on the minimum wage, which already requires “soul searching.
“It is in our hands, and I am ready to work and listen at any time,’’ he added.
He further stated: “We need to do some arithmetic and soul searching on the minimum wage. We will have to take a look at that together, and the revenue. We must strengthen the source and application of our revenue.’’
He further urged the governors to seize the opportunity of their call to office by the people, to properly and conscientiously serve the same people whom it was that had elected them to office.
“This meeting is not strange to me, and the content of the meeting is so valuable. The camaraderie is very stimulating. This is about the Nigerian project, not Bola Tinubu,’’ he said in a statement put out by his spokesman, Abiodun Oladunjoye.
The President said that the multiple exchange rates, considered a drawback to the economy, would be streamlined, considering that governance is a continuum.
“I have inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. This is the first time you entered the Council Chambers, and it is my first time too for a meeting.
“As progressives and thinkers under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), you have a role to play in educating our people and making sure we manage ourselves,’’ the President told the governors.
He said it was a good and encouraging sign that the APC has a majority in the National Assembly and some Houses of Assembly, which will make it easier to develop policies that will directly impact the economy and the people.
“We have a political party that we will need to manage, whichever way, we have inherited assets and liabilities, and we cannot complain.”
In his remarks, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, called on the governors to rally around the President as he tackles the challenges that stagnate the economy, like the fuel subsidy and multiple exchange rates.
“Let us rally around the President and not budge, there are vested interests that may want to resist the subsidy removal. Its removal will free resources for the development of your states,” he added.
Earlier, the Governor of Imo State pledged the support of the Progressive Governors to the President, noting that the initial decisions already foretell good intentions for the economy.
Uzodinma said the President had started well, by placing the economy and welfare of the people on a priority list, with honesty of purpose.
The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, said the development of the national and sub-national economies were one and the same. He assured President Tinubu of the support of the governors In his nation building efforts.
Other governors present at the meeting were Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, and Dikko Radda of Katsina State.
Governors Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Umar Bago of Niger, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Nwifuru Francis Ogbonna of Ebonyi , Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Bassey Otu of Cross-River State were also present.
