Governors of the 36 States have reaffirmed their commitment to working under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and collaborating with his administration to advance the nation’s development.
During a New Year homage paid by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to the President at his Lagos residence, the Governors pledged their support for Tinubu’s vision for the country. Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu spoke on behalf of the Governors, expressing their appreciation for Tinubu’s strong leadership and their determination to align with his government’s goals for social and economic transformation.
“It was a New Year’s visit to Mr. President. It was a good time to come in and felicitate with him, to wish him well in the period of the season and today, we thank God. It’s the first day of the new year, and as his committed co-journeyers in this country’s leadership agenda, it’s important that the forum of the governors come around and felicity with him, wish him well and listen to him. Pretty much, that was what transpired today and I’m happy that I’m part of it.
“The progressives’ chairman spoke on behalf of all of us, thanking him and giving our collective commitment that we’ll continue to work under his leadership, work with his government and appreciating the strength of leadership that he puts right now and also congratulate him on his very recent nomination as Man of the Year of one of the foremost daily newspapers”, he said.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Governors to congratulate the President on being named Man of the Year by a leading national newspaper.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the President’s gratitude for the Governors’ support and urged them to continue implementing policies that directly impact the lives of citizens. He noted that President Tinubu had assured the Governors of his full support in their efforts to implement transformative policies at the sub-national level, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments.
Looking ahead to 2025, Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that tangible improvements would be made in the lives of Nigerians, highlighting the reinforced commitment to progress between the Governors and the federal government.
Describing the meeting as an early start to the new year, Sanwo-Olu said it set the tone for a unified vision among the governors and the federal government.
He expressed optimism that 2025 would bring tangible improvements to the lives of Nigerians, noting that the engagement reinforced a shared commitment to progress.
“Pretty much just talk generally on what are our collective goals for the year and Mr. President did respond adequately, to thank us as well, to wish all of us the very best and to admonish us that indeed we have an important role to play, that as sub-nationals, a lot of the decisions and the policies and the programs that we do truly touch the citizens at every level and so there’s a need for us to continue to work together and he assured us that he will do everything to support each and everyone of us to achieve the irreversible journey of a social transformation in the country.
“He also did mention that we’re in this together and that whatever he needs to do to support us collectively or individually, he will be willing to do that and there’s nothing for us to worry about. We are all in this together and it’s only when we do that and we work collaboratively that the citizens will be the ultimate beneficiary of it.
“So for me, I think it’s an early start and it’s a way to start in the new year, for us to have a common vision, for us to identify very clearly what everyone’s role is and what the people should be expecting.
“A lot of us are very expectant positively and those are some of the things that I’ve also expressed to the citizens of Lagos this morning, we cannot but expect things to turn a lot better for each and every one of us,” he said.
On the issue of the Tax Reform Bills, Sanwo-Olu clarified the matter did not come up during the meeting, as it remains under consideration by the National Assembly.
