Tinubu to Governors: Prioritize the Poor and Youth

​In a significant move toward national cohesion, President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigeria’s state governors and religious leaders to transcend political and sectarian lines to alleviate the suffering of the downtrodden. Speaking during an interfaith breaking of the fast (Iftar) at the Presidential Villa on Monday, the President emphasized that the rare convergence of Ramadan and Lent serves as a divine reminder of shared humanity and collective responsibility.

​President Tinubu urged the gathered leaders to design grassroots programs that directly impact the livelihoods of the “marginalized and the forgotten.” He specifically highlighted the need to empower the youth, famously stating, “Let the young ones breathe too,” as he pushed for more inclusive development strategies.

​A Call for Compassion and Unity

​The President praised the spirit of discipline and resilience inherent in both the Muslim and Christian fasting periods. He lauded Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his “magnanimity,” noting his outreach programs that catered to both faiths simultaneously.

​”Development must not recognize religion. Compassion must not recognize tribe,” Tinubu asserted. He encouraged governors to look beyond their political congresses and local activities to focus on the “woman who carries her family on tired shoulders” and the unemployed youth seeking a foothold in the economy.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Security and Economic Reforms

​Addressing the nation’s security challenges, the President reaffirmed his commitment to establishing state police. He framed this not as a political maneuver, but as a practical necessity to protect farms and businesses.

​”Security is the foundation of prosperity,” he noted, adding that the country is finally emerging from the “dark tunnel of uncertainty” as economic indicators begin to show signs of recovery.

​Governors Pledge Cooperation

​Responding on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma described the simultaneous fasting periods—a phenomenon that last occurred 33 years ago—as a “special situation created by God.” He commended the President for fostering a partnership with governors that ignores ethnic and religious differences, pledging the states’ support in reaching the less privileged.