The Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Vanguard has asked the 36 governors to wake up from their slumber, tackle insecurity, and improve the economies of their states, saying they have been sleeping for so long.
The convener of BAT Vanguard, Hon Sola Olofin, made the call during a press conference to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office in Abuja at the weekend.
He said the Tinubu administration had made commendable progress in economic reforms, infrastructural development, aviation, agriculture, social welfare, education, health and FCT development.
Olofin said governors should contribute equally to improving the economy and securing their states with the improved federal allocations to help implement President Tinubu’s ‘renewed hope’ agenda for Nigeria.
He said, “State governors have so much responsibility to tackle insecurity and improve the economy of their states. Our governors have been sleeping so long; they should wake up from slumber. They should wake up to their responsibilities.”
Olofin requested that the next phase of another governance cycle ( this year) be adequately expanded to cover all who seek to contribute their quotas to the development of Nigeria through political appointments and due recognition.
“We appeal that Mr President make opportunities available for our energetic and loyal members to be carried along to serve Nigeria. While we anticipate a positive response to our request from Mr President, we are equally rededicating our love and unalloyed commitment to remain loyal and duty-bound to support and serve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government of Nigeria, respectively,” he noted.
The BAT Vanguard convener also called on organised labour to accept the proposed N62,000 minimum wage, insisting that if a higher wage is implemented, the prices of goods and services would soar.
He urged the labour unions to confront the federal government about the inability of refineries to work despite the promises and failure to bring down the prices of food items, goods, and services rather than dragging the issue of minimum wage.
Olofin said: “One thing has remained obvious: an uncommon determination by President Tinubu and his team to fix the Nigerian economy and hopefully revisit the erstwhile practicable and cost-effective methods deployed to administer Nigeria, especially by our forebears.
“All efforts are now focused on reducing the cost of governance while expanding where necessary. Now, the citizens are adequately mobilised to becoming productive and economically covered.”
Speaking on the President’s one year in office, he said: “Under the Tinubu government, the government has increased the supply of subsidised fertiliser, the supply of farm inputs such as seedlings and implements, and the expansion of investment in agricultural irrigation to increase food production. These efforts by the government have been on the increase to ensure food security.
“Equally, President Tinubu has prioritised national security, culminating in massive investments in equipping the nation’s security forces. Over 4,600 hostages have been freed, more than 9,300 hostiles neutralised, and over 7,000 terrorists and bandits arrested.”
