Abuja, Nigeria, February 15, 2024/— President Tinubu on Thursday reiterated his administration’s unwavering dedication to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, particularly in the realms of food security and national security.
The president stated this in an emergency meeting held today in the state house, attended by all 36 state governors, the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and several ministers, served as a platform to discuss critical issues affecting the nation.
Addressing the assembled leaders, President Tinubu emphasized the imperative of evolving home-grown solutions to combat food insecurity. He outlined plans to bolster local food production and eliminate rent-seeking associated with food importation. “My administration is dedicated to evolving home-grown solutions to tackle our nation’s food security challenges head-on,” President Tinubu affirmed.
Regarding the security of lives and property, President Tinubu announced the approval of a committee, comprising state governors and federal government representatives, to explore the possibility of establishing state police. “My stance is unequivocal: we must move aggressively to examine the issues raised, including the potential for establishing state police,” President Tinubu asserted.
Furthermore, President Tinubu endorsed the training and equipping of forest rangers by sub-national governments to safeguard human and natural resources in communities across the nation.
In addressing concerns of food hoarding, President Tinubu instructed security agencies to coordinate efforts to inspect warehouses suspected of large-scale hoarding. “We cannot allow speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers to undermine our efforts in ensuring that food is widely available to all Nigerians,” President Tinubu emphasized.
Rejecting the establishment of a price control board and importation of food, President Tinubu underscored the need to support local farmers and rapidly implement livestock development and management plans.
Addressing monetary policy and the role of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), President Tinubu urged governors to trust the CBN’s management while emphasizing the importance of designated institutions fulfilling their mandates effectively.
President Tinubu concluded by urging leaders to prioritize addressing issues of insecurity, food security, and out-of-school children collaboratively. “As leaders, we must all work together to address issues of insecurity, food security, and out-of-school children,” President Tinubu affirmed, underscoring the importance of collective action in achieving national progress.
