He said the event was another step in the food security
agenda of his administration.
“We have seen the level of commitment here. We have seen
leadership. The success of any leader will depend on the ability to do what
needs to be done when it ought to be done,” the president said.
“It is now time for us to address the challenges and make
Nigeria an economy of opportunities. We must care for our people; re-orient our
people. I do not see why Nigeria cannot feed all students in its schools.
“I know what it means
for roaming cows to eat crops and the vegetation of our land. I know it is
painful.
“But when we re-orient the herder and make provision for
cattle rearing, we can address that. You are the governors who are to provide
us with land. I, as President, I am committed to providing a comprehensive
programme that will solve this problem.”
Tinubu also appealed to sub-national governments, as an
immediate intervention measure, to implement wage awards in their states to
complement the efforts of the federal government in easing the burden of
citizens, pending when the minimum wage is increased.
“I am equally here to partner with you to banish hunger. You
are doing the job. And it is necessary for me to support you; it is mandatory
as Nigerians,” he said.
“When you read
newspapers, some of us are confused about whether to abuse the past or the
present or to make excuses for the future.
“But that is not in my dictionary. I think action now,
re-engineer the finances of our country and steer it on the right path.
“The student loan programme will commence. There will be
unemployment benefits for our graduates. The social security benefits for the
elderly and the vulnerable will commence. We are fine-tuning all of that area.
We need to relieve our people of hunger.
“Let all the sub-nationals start paying wage awards, pending
when the minimum wage is increased. I am not giving an order; I am only
appealing. NEC should adopt this.”
