Metro

I’m not after your money, I came to work for you, Tinubu tells Nigerians

Published

3 weeks ago

September 21, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that he is not in office for personal or financial gains but to work and serve them and the country.

Tinubu, who gave the assurance on Friday during a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly led by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, insisted that his administration was “focused on delivering tangible results and making a positive difference in the nation’s infrastructure, food and energy security, education and long-term economic stability.”

While addressing his guests, the president was quoted as saying:

“I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work. I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me.”

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled, ‘I didn’t come to look for money, I came to work’, President Tinubu tells forum of former NASS presiding officers,” further emphasized his commitment to working for the benefit of Nigerians despite the current hardship they are going through.

“Yes, there is hardship, but how did we get here? What did we do when we had very high crude production? We neglected our communities; we neglected the goose that lay the golden eggs; we forgot even to give them a good standard of living,” the statement said.

“We forgot to educate our children. Go around and look at the dilapidated schools. The education environment must be decent enough for pupils to want to learn.

“We can complain from now till eternity that the school enrolment is low. But did we do anything to encourage the enrolment process? We must ask ourselves because it is a matter of conscience,” he said.

The President also outlined his administration’s focus on addressing these challenges, including improving infrastructure, upgrading Nigeria’s infrastructure to drive economic growth and development,
ensuring compliance with financial regulations promote transparency and accountability, exploring alternative energy sources and providing energy security.

“We have come a long way, and I promise we must do our best,” Tinubu added.

Sixteen former presiding officers attended the meeting including former senate presidents, former speakers of the House of Representatives, former deputy senate presidents, and former deputy speakers of the House of Representatives.

Related Topics:Economy Featured Hardship Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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Metro

All the choices we have made are for sustainable, inclusive growth— Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that all the choices his administration has made since assuming office 17 months ago have been made to stop the country’s decline and put it on a path to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 54th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was encouraging that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth for the first and second quarters of 2024 was positive, giving credence to his reforms and policies.

The president, who was represented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, noted that it was gladdening that inflation was on a downward trend, and the foreign exchange market was stabilising, with encouraging investment signals.

“We are continuing with innovative reform measures: digitisation of revenue collection and government services, consumer credit system to boost manufacturing and enable access to goods and services,” Tinubu said in his address to the audience.

“Our reforms include removing punitive subsidies to the economy. Revenue bleeding has reduced, and the three tiers of government are receiving higher allocations, which enable more support to vulnerable populations.

“Social investment spending is increasing, the minimum wage has increased, student loans are available, and interventions to support NANO, MSME, farming, fishing, and the livestock sector have increased.

“Our collective vision for Nigeria’s future is anchored on strengthening our institutions and nurturing a pervasive culture of accountability,” he said.

He added that his government was committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost transparency and efficiency and cultivate strategic partnerships to pave the way for sustainable development.

Metro

10 Zambian miners confirmed dead, 20 feared trapped in Mumbwa mine tragedy

Published

19 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Isaac Dachen

At least 10 Zambian miners have been confirmed dead, with 20 others feared missing after the collapse of the Lwiili Mine located in the Mumbwa region.

The devastating accident, which was confirmed by the Member of Parliament representing Nangoma, Collins Nzovu, and the Zambia Police, was said to have occured on Monday.

Search efforts are ongoing to locate the missing miners.

“I regret to confirm a tragic mining accident at Lwiili Mine in Nangoma, where 20 lives are feared lost. As of now, nine bodies have been retrieved, with 10 confirmed dead,” Nzovu stated in a video posted on his official Facebook account.

He also stated that President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President Mutale Nalumango had been informed of the incident and urged residents and the bereaved to remain calm.

The Central Province Police Chief, Charity Chanda, who also confirmed the incident in a statement, said five miners were also injured.

“An unknown number of people were conducting mining activities when the earth collapsed on them,” Chanda said.

He added that rescue teams recovered six injured miners, but one later died at Nangoma Mission Hospital.

The police chief also said bodies of the deceased have been taken to Mumbwa General Hospital Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Nangoma Mission Hospital.