Southwest Governors: Tinubu’s reforms will take Nigeria to greater heights.

Governors yesterday expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform programmes will soon begin to yield good results and catapult Nigeria to the top in the comity of nations.

Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Peter Mbah (Enugu) said they were convinced that the President’s reform programmes would take the country to greater heights.

In broadcasts to residents of their states yesterday’s celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, the governors acknowledged the hard times Nigerians are facing but encouraged them to be optimistic about a new dawn.

In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde extended his administration’s transport subsidy by another six months.

The governor announced this during yesterday’s celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary in his statewide broadcast on the state’s radio station (BCOS).

He said: “They say the darkest hour comes just before dawn. As we face these cloudy economic times, we must remember our resilient spirit. Rest assured, the sun will rise.

“As your government, we use this Independence Day celebration to reaffirm our commitment to making decisions that will serve the best interests of the good people of Oyo State.

“This is why I have directed that guarantors for small scale loans to agripreneurs through the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State will no longer be limited to civil servants but will now include Community Development Associations (CDAs), farmers’ associations, and artisans’ associations.

“We have also extended the subsidy on transportation for another six months under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) scheme.

“The subsidy will now also include a subsidy on trucks for evacuation of farm produce. This subsidy will be implemented through the various trader and agriculture unions.”

Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) yesterday pardoned 24 prisoners under the states’ Prerogative of Mercy.

Aiyedatiwa pardoned 19 convicts serving jail term in various Correctional Centres across the state, while Mutfwang pardoned five prison inmates.

The Ondo State governor said his action followed the advice by the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy and was meant to display his commitment to rehabilitation and second chances within the justice system.

Some of the beneficiaries had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment while others had a reduced jail term.

Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, announced this in a statement in Akure, the state capital.

He said the governor’s actions were per Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In a broadcast, Governor Mutfwang announced the pardon of five inmates who had demonstrated significant improvement in their behaviour and conduct.

He said: “Fellow citizens, in exercise of my prerogative of mercy, as enshrined in the Constitution and in line with the recommendations of the Plateau State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, I have granted pardon to five persons who have served various jail terms and have significantly demonstrated good conduct over the years.”

Also, in separate broadcasts, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Alex Otti (Abia), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) highlighted the efforts their administrations were making to improve infrastructure and the well-being of their fellow residents.

The governors pledged to continue their support for Federal Government’s policies to develop the country and improve the people’s standard of living.

Sanwo-Olu said: “Today, more than ever, we must confront an unsettling reality, a growing sense of apathy, distrust, and restiveness among our citizens here, in Lagos, and across Nigeria.

“I understand the sentiments of frustration many of you feel. The challenges we face seem endless: insecurity, economic hardship, and distrust in leadership.

“Today, I want to speak to your hearts to remind you of the strength, resilience, and creativity that define Lagos and its people. Lagos will continue to be a beacon of hope.

“…The journey has been difficult and the path ahead may seem uncertain, but we have a choice: to give in to despair or believe in our power to create change.

“I choose to believe in us, the people of Lagos.”

Abiodun said: “We are fully aware of the current economic challenges and the impact on our people.

“Under the leadership of Tinubu, the Federal Government has swiftly implemented measures aimed at repositioning the economy positively.

“These initiatives, though necessary, come with some measure of sacrifice and are not without difficulty.”

In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Governor Fubara described President Tinubu’s economic reforms as robust.

The governor poured encomiums on the President for what he called “bold, dynamic, and pragmatic economic reforms” targeted at correcting the structural deformities of the past and ushering Nigeria into a new vista of sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

He said: “We will continue to support and work with the Federal Government and the security agencies to advance the security and well-being of all citizens, protect national economic assets, and guarantee the security and smooth operations of local, national, and multinational companies and investments in our state.”

Enugu State Governor Mbah hailed Nigerians for their resilience, forbidding them to continue to keep hope alive.

The governor called for national unity, saying this remained a major factor to move the nation forward. 

In Asaba, the Delta State capital, Oborevwori said: “As an administration, it is on record that we have recorded significant strides in the implementation of our MORE Agenda aimed at making life more meaningful for Deltans since we came on board on May 29, 2023.”

In his broadcast, Nwifuru said his administration was working on over 700 kilometers of roads across Ebonyi State.

The governor expressed joy over the level of advancement the state had achieved since its creation.

He urged all stakeholders to support his policies to make Ebonyi a better state.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti noted that Nigeria, in the last 64 years, has become an important player in the West African region as well as an influential voice in Africa.

He urged Abians and other Nigerians not to give up hope on their country.

Otti said: “We are widely known as a nation of great songs and musicians, dreamers and happy people. Even then, our phenomenon lies in an uncanny ability to evolve, adapt, and thrive.

“Nigeria is a national community of philosophers and thinkers but we are also never afraid to admit that we are humans, full of emotions and imperfections.

“Our country is the home of adventurous warriors and fighters who would march to the ends of the earth in defence of the values that we hold dear.”

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki restated his commitment to democracy in the face of pressures from different interests that seek to set the nation back.

He noted that 64 years after independence, Nigerians have much to be thankful for, in the face of daunting global challenges that have rocked many nations.