By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday said he is aware of the concerns of citizens regarding the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, assuring that the challenges brought on by very essential reforms are being addressed.
Tinubu also urged Nigerians not to be bothered about the mass exodus of skilled workers otherwise known as ‘japa’ from the country, saying the Federal Government in collaboration with sub-nationals will train more persons to fill the professional gap now conspicuous in health, tech, and other sectors.
The President spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the second term inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Addressing the people of the state shortly after the governor took the oath of office, Tinubu said the education of children and youths is a priority for the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“You see the priority in industrialisation. Healthcare will receive more allocation and more attention. Don’t worry about what you are hearing about the Japa syndrome, we will train more people and we will supply them self,” he said.
Tinubu assured the people of the South-East that “the peace you are enjoying here will be better and we will work more to achieve that peace.”
*President promises to prioritise education, healthcare
The President also said that his administration will give more attention to education and healthcare, as well as provide the enablement for industrialization and investments in consonance with his vision of creating an economically stable and prosperous country.
The President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said, “In the past 40 years, a few people were cornering our commonwealth, and calling it subsidy, but I call it wasteful. Right now, we are all bearing and sharing that pain. But things are looking up. Things will get better for the good of all Nigerians. With me, there is hope.
“I assure you that there will be substantial development in education for your children; priority on industrialization; healthcare will receive more allocation and attention. We will train more health workers,” the President said.
Tinubu commended Governor Uzodinma for his stewardship in Imo State, describing him as the “real hope” of the state.
“It is a great honour for me to be here in Imo State. And to congratulate the people of Imo for being discerning and determined to vote into a second term, a very unique individual who resonates with a progressive agenda, Senator Hope Uzodinma,” he said.
The President said he is committed to building a united and secure country, noting the peace and security in the state, adding: “Before now, people were afraid of coming to Imo state, but today Imo is safe and open for business. What we have learnt from this experience is the importance of unity, cooperation, and a focus on our internal security.”
Tinubu implored the governor to work even harder for the people, emphasizing that hard work is the reward for re-election.
“I assure you that your hopes are renewed. Be assured of the support of the federal government to ensure rapid development of your state,” he concluded.
Speaking after the administration of oaths of office by the Imo State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, Governor Uzodinma pledged that his second tenure would be uncommon in the execution of policies.
“We have been able to lay a solid foundation for accelerated economic growth and development of our state. We also addressed the decay we met in the civil service, the decay we met in the education sector, and the health sector. In addition, we addressed the lingering problem of unemployment through a variety of youth empowerment initiatives.
“We carried out a digital version of dealing with the unemployment market, which included the provision of digital and other portable skills, including artificial intelligence to our teeming young men and women,” he said.
Unfolding his priorities, the governor said the next four years of his administration would focus on deepening the shared prosperity mantra through massive infrastructural expansion, adding that the vision of his government is anchored on a 10-year development plan that can make the state self-sufficient.
