President Bola Tinubu yesterday reiterated his readiness to work with governors to return Nigeria to a resilient economy.
He spoke at a sallah reception hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the State House in Marina.
This is the first time he will be coming to Lagos after he was sworn in as president on May 29. He was in Lagos to celebrate the Eid.
The president said: “It was Tunde Fashola who was telling me that every time I fly across, I should look down and see so much dusty, unpaved roads, as well as incomplete projects. Yes, I've seen them, and I will see more. But I promise to work with the governors through an open door policy that will return Nigeria from the bricks to a resilient economy. Be ready you governors.
“I know what I'm going to do from Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and on, and I want us to be partners so that we can rescue our country and make it whole again.”
President Tinubu also thanked party members and faithful for keeping the faith with him on the long tortuous journey to the presidency.
He added: “I'm very grateful. I thank my Vice President, you shall receive the joy of giving, the joy of perseverance, joy of resilience and endurance, you will see the reward for this country, it's going to prosper and be prosperous.
“I say thank you to all of you and I appreciate tonight. I will continue to appreciate more when we work together to dissect the possible economic prosperity of our nation in favour of our children. I'm also glad to see former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. God bless you all.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu told President Tinubu that 'Lagos is proud of you'. He also expressed confidence in the president's ability to do right by Nigeria.
He said: “I'm sure you will all agree that since he took his oath of office as the president of the largest black nation, we have seen uncommon pronouncement, uncommon audacity of change, a renowned hope that he promised us. I'm also proud of him to say that this is a tenure that begins with a promise of change and, within a short time, we are beginning to see that change.
“Mr President, your ascension to the seat was greeted with great war and expectations, we believed in you as a leader, a builder of men, talents, and a custodian of the best ideas of governance. I'm happy to say that indeed you are our Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You've catalysed series of economic interventions, policy changes, and you have sown the seed of future prosperity. Your administration has rekindled the attitude of resilience and integrity among fellow Nigerians, it is indeed commendable here to sing of all the great reforms that you are about and you are changing for us.
"We are confident that under your leadership, Nigeria will reach unprecedented heights. We stand in solidarity with you in bringing your great vision for Nigeria to life, and we will join hands with the president to rebuild Nigeria."
Former Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola also reiterated the need to support the president to succeed.
"Nigeria's presidency is not a one-man job. He should be supported to succeed. Six of his policies in Lagos, as governor, have stood the test of time and have been adopted in other states and so I urge the governors to support policies that will be introduced by the president," he added.
Dignitaries at the event were Vice President Kashim Shetimma, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu who arrived about 4.17pm, National Assembly members, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abass. Also there were Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarrawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Alex Otti (Abia), Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).
Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, former Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, were also at the event.
Others at the state reception also included
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Adamu, National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire , Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
Business leaders were led by Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Rasak Okoya. Royal fathers of Awori extraction were also present at the reception.
Former Lagos governors -Fashola, Ambode and Sanwo-Olu also had their moment of reunion where they presented Tinubu with the Lagos symbol of Eyo.
Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was perhaps the star guest at the event being the first time he would be reuniting with Tinubu and Fashola in over four years. The former governor, decked in a royal blue agbada with matching cap, heartily mingled with his predecessor and successor. Governor Sanwo-Olu thereafter took him to greet fellow governors and others at the reception.
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