President Bola Ahmed Tinubu highlighted the economic gains of his almost two-year administration yesterday.
He spoke in Awka, the Anambra State capital, where he was guest of Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the commencement of a two-day visit.
He identified what he described as economic monsters that held the country by the jugular before he came into office.
He said the country was grappling with:
• Near-insolvent public finances;
• Chaotic foreign exchange systems and
• Unsustainable multiple subsidies.
“But like we tamed the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, we have also begun to wrestle down these monsters,” he said.
The President, during his tenure as governor of Lagos, created the Atlantic City off the ocean, a policy that terminated the flooding of the beachfront on Victoria Island.
“Though the reforms are tough, they are necessary. We are beginning to see renewed hope, from increased agricultural productivity to a surge in small business activity, especially in tech and manufacturing sectors in which Anambra already excels.
“We must work together. We must be committed. We must lay a solid foundation for an inclusive economy, small businesses are coming back, and Anambra is already excelling.
“We have to invest in our future. I’ve always said it and I will continue to say it, though our tribal tongues may differ, we are one family. We only stay in different rooms.”
He added that the effects of forex reforms, fiscal reengineering and tax restructuring efforts were already attracting investors’ confidence and expanding economic opportunities across the country.
The President spoke in front of dignitaries, including Chief Emeka Anyaoku and traditional rulers, who conferred on him a joint traditional title: Dikesimba Anambra (strong man from another land), after inaugurating some projects undertaken by the three-year-old Soludo administration.
There were also governors, including Sheriff Francis Oborevwori (Delta), whom he described as an “earth mover”, in reference to the uprooting of the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
On the Dikesimba title conferred on him by royal fathers, led by the chairman of the traditional rulers in the state, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, the President described it as historic.
He said: “I feel honoured by the chieftaincy title. It is historic and I will treasure it to the end of my life. Give me a piece of land to build for my retirement. I need a permanent abode and not a temporary home.”
Among the projects inaugurated are: New Government House, Awka Fun City; Ekwueme Boulevard and the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), among others.
Responding to Soludo’s request for the rehabilitation of the Anambra-Kogi-Abuja Road to ease travel burden from nine to two hours, President Tinubu said: “I agree with you while assuring that the government would look into it, including the other requests.”
Inaugurating the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies in Anambra, the President lauded the legacies of the 92-year-old diplomat.
He hailed Anyaoku for his contributions to good governance, democracy and world peace, describing him as a “great Nigerian and a patriotic man with commitment to values and nation building”.
According to him, Anyaoku should be commended for promoting democracy, good governance and world peace in the course of his service.
He said: “We must invest in education as it is the greatest weapon against poverty. We are doing so, believing we have leaders like Emeka Anyaoku.
“Here is a man who helped tremendously to bring about constitutional democracy, freedom and stability.
“His patriotism is boundless. His commitment to values and nation-building is invaluable. I’m glad he is alive.
“I’m glad my friend, Governor Charles Soludo, his team, and many of you are here to honour him, immortalise him and ensure he remains a fulcrum of our learning and intellectual development and diplomacy.”
The President urged the management of the institution to ensure adequate maintenance of the building and its facilities.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to advancing the education sector, saying that significant resources had consistently been allocated, especially toward tertiary education.
“Let me divert attention to the Governing Council and Management of the university.
“In recent times, we have had cause to intervene in the affairs of this university and a few others, to arrest what could be described as administrative rascalities.
“My government is committing lots of resources to the education sector and shall not allow wrong use of autonomy to derail us.”
