President Bola Tinubu says he is not a president who will give excuses, declaring that he will work hard to lift Nigerians out of poverty.

Tinubu said Nigeria has no business being associated with poverty, insecurity, or under-development, assuring that under his leadership, the narrative will be permanently and positively changed.

The president made the vow while receiving a 62-man delegation from Rivers State, comprising leaders from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

The delegation was led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

President Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said: “We are not meant to be in a position to be poor. We will turn the tide! Somewhere, somehow in this storm, there’s a quiet and peaceful place for us. We will locate it!

“We are not lazy people. We are richly endowed. We just need to be our brother’s keeper, and good neighbours to one another. I am not a President that will give excuses. I will work hard for our nation with purpose, determination and dedication to create wealth for all Nigerians. We have no reason to be poor! We will not look back, we will run aggressively forward.

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“Today, we may be swimming against the tide. But the waves will soon propel us forward from behind. We will achieve the goals and dreams of our forefathers. I am inspired by the nation of people I now lead.”

Tinubu noted that concerning infrastructure development in Rivers State, he had heard the cries of prominent Rivers sons, with particular reference to the Eleme Junction-Onne axis of the East-West Road, linking the Port Harcourt Refinery.

On this, the president said Wike, who he described as his adviser, would follow up on the issue for prompt action.

“The Honourable Minister, Wike, is not just the Minister of FCT, he is also my adviser and an admirer of mine. He has hit the ground running and he should be encouraged by the state,” the Tinubu added.

Advising the youths to be more patient with the processes of government, President Tinubu said: “I am the Captain and Chief Salesman of the country. We have to reverse the trend and achieve possibilities within a short period of time. Our people have high expectations for us. I pledge to work hard, and I pray to God to put me on the right path, not to disappoint Nigerians.”

In his remarks, Fubara told Tinubu that the delegation, which included leaders of political parties, and past and present members of the Rivers State and National Assemblies, was on a solidarity and thank you visit.

The governor further thanked the president for appointing Wike as FCT Minister, and Ngelale as his spokesperson, as well as other sons and daughters of Rivers State into the boards and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other institutions.

Fubara also applauded Tinubu for attracting a $14 billion dollars investment approval for projects nationwide during the G-20 Summit, including the expansion of Indorama Petrochemicals in Eleme, Rivers State, adding that the state had just allocated 209 hectares of land in support of the new investment.

The Star