President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that only the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, is capable of continuing the work of rebuilding Nigeria he started over seven years ago.
The President said a vote for Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, would guarantee the sustenance of progress made in the security, economy and education sectors of the country.
Buhari spoke on Tuesday at the APC presidential campaign rally in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
The President urged Nigerians and the people of Yobe State to vote for Tinubu to succeed him in 2023.
The President, who addressed the mammoth crowd in Hausa language, recounted how Boko Haram inflicted damage on the people, their property and the economy, before their decimation by Nigeria Armed Forces and security agencies.
“I accompany Asiwaju here to tell you to vote for him so that he can continue with my legacy of rebuilding Nigeria,” President Buhari said.
Addressing the APC supporters, Tinubu said he will use the newly commissioned Yobe Cargo airport to boost agriculture in the state and hailed President Buhari for the airport project and other projects across the country, describing them as “wise investments”.
“The cargo airport Mr. President commissioned yesterday will be greatly needed when our agenda for greater production of agricultural and industrial exports begins to take off.
“It is a wise investment made with courage and foresight. It will be needed to transport Yobe’s excellent sesame, hibiscus, and gum Arabic to the rest of the world,” he said.
Tinubu commended Buhari and security agencies for the success recorded in the battle against insecurity, adding that an indication of the marked improvement in the security situation in the North-East was that he could spend Monday night in Yobe State.
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Speaking further on agriculture, the APC presidential candidate said: “Harnessing our agricultural endowment is more than an economic desire. It is a matter of national security. We need to further guarantee our food security to better ensure social stability and lay the groundwork for even more economic progress.
“We will establish agricultural hubs and irrigation and water catchment systems to assist farmers throughout the nation. Yields and harvests will increase. More importantly, we will encourage value-added agro-processing businesses that will foster greater economic activity creating well-paid jobs and bringing better products to local markets and to your family’s dinner table.
“We will invest in the individual small farmer. You will earn a good and guaranteed income through the establishment of Commodity Exchange boards that will ensure an acceptable price for the crops you labor so hard to grow.”
On the investment and tourism opportunities available in Yobe State, Tinubu promised to work with the state government to invest in the exploration of the mineral resources discovered in the state.
“Your limestone, trona, and gypsum will create jobs and earn money for the state. Yobe’s tourism potentials of the beautiful landscapes, sand dunes, oases, and bird sanctuaries will be highlighted,” the former governor of Lagos State added.
He further promised to create jobs for the people of the state, adding that his administration will improve the youths’ access to quality education if elected as president in 2023.
“The youths of Yobe will be better integrated into the national and world economy in ways that help and benefit you. We will empower you with the right education that would make you competitive in the global economy.
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“The best of technology will be made available to you. Whether it is the best knowledge in modern agriculture, the digital economy, or in manufacturing and industry, that education will come closer and be more accessible to you.
“We will work with private sector leaders to make sure your education reflects the skills you will need to prosper in the economy of the future.
“We will tackle and reduce unemployment. My dream is that you are prosperous and never idle. You will have good jobs or will become thriving entrepreneurs giving jobs to others.
“You are a proud people and you will become a source of pride to the nation and to Africa. We are planning big and good things for you,” Tinubu said.
Others at the rally were APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; and the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, among others.
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