President Bola Tinubu has on Monday departed Abuja for Maiduguri, Borno State capital, for an official visit.
Tinubu made his departure from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to make his first visit to the North-Eastern region of the country since taking office on May 29.
Tinubu performed four major things during the visit:
- Inauguration of Nigeria’s First Electric Taxis
During the visit, Tinubu inaugurated 107 Mass Transit vehicles including 50 electric taxis procured by the Borno State Government.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tinubu lauded Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his foresight and people-oriented policies and projects.
The president was planning to set up a plant in that direction to create employment and ease transportation.
Earlier, Governor Zulum said he was motivated to embark on the project following a directive from Tinubu to the governors after the removal fuel subsidy.
Zulum explained that the deployment of 50 electric taxis was the first of its kind in Nigeria and was in line with the realities of climate change.
The vehicles included 50 electric taxis, 35 coaster buses, 12 Hummer buses and 10 luxurious buses.
2. Visit to Shehu of Borno
The president also paid homage to the Shehu of Borno Abubakar El-Kanemi during which he commended the monarch for supporting the state and the Federal Government in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Tinubu promised to enhance the active involvement of traditional institutions in ensuring stability at the grassroots level.
He said, ”We are not satisfied yet. We are not satisfied until we reach the end of insecurity in Nigeria.”
Tinubu added that under his watch, security issues would remain a top priority but not limited only to battlefield concerns.
“We will provide better amenities and benefits to our gallant armed forces and their families. We are committed to this and this is factored into the 2024 budget.
”We will ensure that our administration reflects the grateful heart of the Nigerian people in the way we treat those who make the ultimate sacrifices on our behalf,” the President said.
Commending the Shehu of Borno for supporting the state and the Federal Governments in maintaining peace and stability in the region, Tinubu promised to enhance the active involvement of traditional institutions in ensuring stability at the grassroots level.
3. Condolence Over Kaduna Village Bombing
Tnubu expressed grief over the loss of lives in the recent and sad bombing mishap in Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.
He said that most of the victims tragically lost their lives while reciting the Shadada as they observed maulud, a central statement of faith for practising Muslims.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity quoted Tinubu as saying at the Shehu’s palace, “They were Nigerians of profound faith and in the moment of the tragedy, they were reciting the Shadada. God Almighty comforts their families as their nation grieves their passage into glory. May their souls rest in eternal peace.”
He said the Federal Government would provide support and care to the families of all Nigerians affected by the remnants of insecurity in parts of Borno.
“This is my most sacred responsibility and the trajectory of the larger effort shown by the ratio of victory over defeat has been sliding well in our favour since the new administration has resumed office.
On his part, the Shehu of Borno urged the president to deliver his infrastructural interventions to areas that had been hard hit by insurgency over the years.
“We seek the revival of the Lake Chad Commission to provide succour to the large communities in the Lake Chad’s surrounding areas. We seek power projects and job creation initiatives for our unemployed youths,” he said.
4. Tinubu Declared Opened the Annual Chief of Army Staff Conference
President Tinubu also declared open the 2023 annual Chief of Army Staff Conference saying he will continue to work assiduously and provide the military with the necessary support to keep the troublers of the nation at bay.
Speaking at the conference, Tinubu said he has no intention of relenting or resting on his laurels in securing Nigeria, declaring that he will win the battle to keep Nigeria safe.
The president, who also acknowledged the Nigerian Army’s commitment to national security, asked the army to remain non-partisan but vigilant in upholding democratic principles, emphasising their role as a guardian of constitutional order during elections.
“The professional conduct of the Armed Forces during the elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States underscores your role as a guardian of our constitutional order and democracy precepts. In this regard, the Nigerian Army must remain completely non-partisan but vigilantly pro-democracy,” he said.
Tinubu, while expressing the nation’s gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the armed forces, recalled his earlier approval of N18 billion in Group Life Assurance benefits for families of fallen heroes, even as he pledged continuous government support for the welfare of serving personnel and their families.
