President Bola Tinubu has implored governors and members of the federal executive council (FEC) to focus on policies and resources that benefit the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria.

 

The president made the appeal on Monday night during an Iftar dinner at the State House in Abuja, where he hosted governors, FEC members, service chiefs, and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to break the Ramadan fast.

 

Tinubu spoke about the importance of selfless leadership and urged governors to consider themselves as navigators charged with taking the country to the promised land.

 

“I thank you all for responding to this invitation. You honoured it out of respect, not because you don’t have enough to eat or share,” he said.

“I recall in our first FEC meeting, I said we were going to work hard to fetch water from a dry well.

 

“We are still working hard to ensure that there is water to drink and that we spend money, not the people. You, the leaders at the subnational levels, are also doing all you can to spend money, not the people.

 

“Look at yourselves as navigators that will bring the country to the promised land. Standing here as president is a great honour, and you can’t trade it. Continue doing what you are doing. And do more for the people.”

 

He said the people-oriented policies of his administration have begun to yield positive results.

 

Tinubu attributed the success of ongoing economic reforms to the collective efforts of the FEC and the collaboration of leaders at the subnational levels.

 

The president likened Nigeria to a large family living in different rooms within the same house, urging leaders to see the country as one united entity.

 

In his remarks, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and governor of Kwara state, thanked the president for his “bold and decisive reforms”, which he said are transforming the economy.

Similarly, Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue state, who led the Christian prayers at the event, noted the significance of Muslims and Christians fasting simultaneously, describing it as a divine coincidence.

 

Lateef Fagbemi, minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, highlighted the positive impact of the reforms, stating that the prices of goods and foodstuffs are steadily dropping.

 

“The reforms have also improved livelihoods,” Fagbemi said, while commending the president for his courage in implementing the policies.