President Bola Tinubu Archives - Naija Premium Gist

UK expresses support for Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has said the United Kingdom was impressed by the security strategies President Tinubu has put in place.

Montgomery also reiterated the UK government’s support for the Nigerian government in terms of security, transparency and accountability in governance.

Montgomery stated this during a High-level Dialogue on Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda on the theme, “Nigeria’s Global Ambitions: From Hope to Reality,” in Abuja on Friday.

He applauded Tinubu’s agenda, saying it focused on priorities and delivery.

“I’d like to use this opportunity to express the whole lot of support of my government to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.

“We commend his agenda for its focus on priorities and delivery. We acknowledge that you have done a lot to put in place transparency and accountability,” he stated.

Also, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite stated that the gathering, initiated by the Office of the Vice President, was evidence of the role of the international corporation in delivering the remarkable goals of the President’s laudable Renewed Hope Agenda.

On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised the stakeholders’ efforts led by Vice President Shettima for convening the high-level forum to mark the first anniversary of the Tinubu Administration.

Idris said the gathering was both to reflect on the last year and look ahead to the next three years.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, said Tinubu’s one year in office had been successful despite being challenging.

Bagudu noted that the Tinubu-led government is an administration that will renew the hope of Nigerians.

He also appreciated Shettima for gracing the occasion, saying, “Not surprisingly, you chose to come in person to show importance, particularly to partners in the diplomatic and development world, that Nigeria appreciates them and that international cooperation is important to us and it is rooted in our constitution, is rooted in our development plans and is rooted in our Renewed hope agenda.”

He added, “Not surprisingly, Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shetiima, over the last year, have engaged globally and locally with institutions that represent development partnership, multilateral institutions, and bilateral institutions, consistent with our development agenda.”

Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who was represented by Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation, Dapo Oyewole, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to long-lasting partnership with the global community.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy will continue to accommodate the interests of all Nigerians and ensure mutual and beneficial partnerships with all nations,” Oyewole said.

Speaking further, he added that Nigeria will continue to work to unlock all hidden economic treasures in the country.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the event marked a critical reflection point for all who have explored optimally to harness international corporations in achieving the noble goals of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated that the Bank of Industry has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of strategic partnership in driving economic growth and fostering inclusive development under the Tinubu administration.

MURIC sends SOS to Tinubu, says Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway is death trap

The Muslim Rights Concern, on Monday, sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to President Bola Tinubu over the deplorable condition of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

In a statement, the Lagos and Ogun chairmen of the group, Busari Ademola and Jimoh Alao, said that the 81km federal highway has continued to be a death trap.

“We are calling on the federal government to revisit the construction of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. The road which was first constructed more than 40 years ago by the Muritala-Obasanjo regime linking over 200 communities has made life unbearable for thousands of road users.

“The condition of the expressway is embarrassing, and with the return to democracy since 1999, the citizens of our dear States keep wondering if the route is attracting enough government attention. The contract for the reconstruction of the road was re-awarded in 2018 to some construction companies but to date, no significant progress could be seen,” said the MURIC statement.

The chairmen, in the statement, said that the road experience along the Ijaiye-Alakuko axis of Lagos via tollgate, Sango, Ifo, Itori, Papalanto and Obada near Abeokuta was brutal and painful with so many deep holes.

“Therefore, we call on President Tinubu and relevant authorities and agencies to expedite action in constructing a viable, motorable and secure expressway to save the lives of Nigerians. We equally sympathise with thousands of Nigerians who are regular users of the road despite its unbearable state of dilapidation,” added the statement.

It stated, “We urge them to be hopeful. The relief is inevitable as the governments of Lagos and Ogun will find a lasting solution to the deplorable condition of the expressway without further political bureaucracy.

On August 31, the federal government jointly proposed rehabilitating the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta expressway with the Ogun government.

The works minister, Dave Umahi, made the proposal during a courtesy call to Governor Dapo Abiodun in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The minister and ministry officials were on a tour of federal roads in the state.

Mr Umahi, while responding to Mr Abiodun on the frustration experienced by Ogun and Lagos during the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to get the road done, disclosed that the period of bureaucracy in road construction in the country was over.

Mr Umahi noted that if the federal government is looking for corporate organisations to get involved in road construction and management, state governments should not be denied the same opportunity.

He said, “Let me say something about the frustration you had while you and the Lagos State government wrote to take over the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road. Let me announce to you that it falls under our new programme, the Highway Development Management Initiative. It is a public-private partnership programme.

“People should begin to look at a state as a corporate entity. If you are looking for investors to come and invest on our roads, to construct, to own, to maintain and toll, why shouldn’t a state do that?”