President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, said his administration’s infrastructure development and economic reforms across sectors are for the benefit, well-being, and prosperity of citizens.
He gave the assurance in Iperu, Ogun State, during the inauguration of the Gateway Cargo International Airport, built by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun. President Tinubu also launched two new aircraft owned by the new Gateway Airline.
“Our investment is about our people. The infrastructure underscores our faith in our country, the belief that today’s foundation is for tomorrow’s prosperity. Thank you all for your understanding”.
President Tinubu said Governor Dapo Abiodun has continued to demonstrate his commitment to the well-being of Ogun State citizens and Nigerians at large.
The President said the commissioned airport is connected to an independent power, reflecting the administration’s investment in energy.
“Development must touch every level. I am particularly pleased with the mobility, the security and the agricultural initiatives being fulfilled today”, President Tinubu added. In addition to inaugurating the new airport, he launched 1,000 electric bikes, security vehicles, and tractors.
The President commended Nigerians for their continued faith in the All Progressives Congress ( APC). He said that the reforms initiated have translated to more resources for the sub-nationals.
He said he was proud of the state governors’ judicious utilisation of resources for development and commended Governor Abiodun for his visionary leadership and for aligning the state’s developmental initiatives with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu said the commissioning of 1000 electric bikes was a smart response by the state to modern transportation needs and that embracing technology rather than fossil fuel to improve daily life was the way forward.
President Tinubu also lauded the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the various initiatives that have enhanced the ease of doing business and for prioritising the welfare of his workforce.
” Nigeria will continue to remember you. Your legacies, commitment and patriotism are well appreciated,” the President stated.
During the visit, the President launched the Customs Hub, which included barracks, a training college, a warehouse and a hospital.
Governor Abiodun thanked the President for the visit, highlighting it as historic and symbolic of the President’s commitment to national development and belief in sub-nationals as growth engines.
Governor Abiodun lauded the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he credited with placing Nigeria on a path of economic recovery, fiscal discipline, and sustainable growth.
The Governor also commended the President for his bold economic reforms, noting that the unification of the foreign exchange rate, the removal of the fuel subsidy, and the repositioning of public finance to reflect market realities have gone a long way toward restoring investors’ confidence and attracting foreign direct investment.
“Your efforts in expanding revenue through improved tax administration, digitisation of government processes and strengthening of agencies have started to address long-standing structural weaknesses.
” Other landmark initiatives, amongst others, include the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Programme, the NELFUND, the ongoing Rail Modernisation, major highway reconstruction projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Badagry-Sokoto Highway and all reforms in the oil and gas sector aimed at boosting production and transparency, all point to a deliberate reset of our national economy”, the Governor said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while commending the President’s democratic antecedents, said that the National Assembly remained a veritable tool for deepening democracy in Nigeria. Akpabio maintained that without the parliament, there wouldn’t be democracy.
The Senate President thanked the President for several key reforms and ideas that he brought to fruition.
“President Tinubu was credited as the first to initiate Independent Power Plants in Lagos, a model that other states across Nigeria have since adopted.”
Akpabio appealed to the President to decentralise the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for a more effective power system.
He lauded the President for his strong belief in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), starting with significant growth in Lagos’ revenue and implementing reforms at the federal level to empower sub-nationals financially.
” This has enabled states to avoid borrowing for salaries and projects, leading to widespread appreciation from governors”, Akpabio said.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on behalf of himself and the people of the state, thanked President Tinubu for his visionary and purposeful leadership and tenacity.
“When Ogun State was created 50 years ago, I was part of the process. Nobody at the time would have thought we would have what we have today. And it is due to what we have got from all the governors and those who have worked with all the governors,” the former President said.
Also at the event were the Ministers of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, as well as the governors of Borno, Niger, Taraba, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Bayelsa, and Ekiti states. Traditional rulers from the state also attended the event.
*Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy).
