President Bola Tinubu has described hunger and poverty as the most significant threats to peace in Nigeria, urging state governors to prioritize impactful governance and ignore detractors.
Speaking during a two-day working visit to Katsina State, President Tinubu emphasized the need for governors to remain focused on delivering measurable results that improve citizens’ lives rather than being distracted by armchair critics.
“The people should be at the centre of your programmes,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. “Let your achievements speak for you. Ignore distractions—results will always silence critics.”
During the visit, President Tinubu commissioned the 24-kilometre Eastern Bypass Road completed by Governor Dikko Radda within 18 months, as well as the newly established Katsina Agricultural Mechanised Centre.
Acknowledging the security challenges facing the state, Tinubu commended the governor’s resilience and pledged federal support. “You will not walk alone. The federal government will continue to stand by you,” he said.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to food security and economic empowerment through modern agriculture. “The economy is on the right path. We are committed to eradicating hunger by promoting large- and small-scale farming, mechanisation, and water management,” he stated.
He also announced plans to revive the Bank of Agriculture to improve access to funding for farmers, noting that the institution would be restructured to better serve agricultural needs nationwide.
Applauding Governor Radda’s progress in agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure, Tinubu praised his leadership within just two years in office. “Your efforts show true patriotism and progressive thinking,” he said.
Governor Radda highlighted key achievements under his administration, including the procurement of 400 tractors through a N25 billion federal government intervention, distribution of 448,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser in 2024, and ongoing road, irrigation, and healthcare projects.
Dignitaries present at the event included governors from Borno, Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, and Jigawa states, as well as former Katsina governors Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema, and ministers of culture, solid minerals, and agriculture.
President Tinubu thanked the traditional councils of Katsina and Daura for their continued support and described his visit as a homecoming, pledging continued collaboration for peace and development.