President Bola Tinubu has called on the state governors to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling poverty in the country, saying the level of impoverishment was unacceptable.

Tinubu told the governors to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.

The President said this during a meeting with the members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, June 7.

He said: “We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from society.

“Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building.”

President Tinubu said the education sector must also be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury.

“How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you,” Tinubu stressed.

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President Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family, saying: “We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results.”

Tinubu stressed that good governance would safeguard the future of democracy, adding: “Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.

“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations who are over a hundred years in democracy.

“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people.”

The President said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanise the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform.

“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,” he stated.

The President also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle insecurity, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.

Speaking, the NGF Chairman thanked Tinubu for inviting the governors to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.

“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,” AbdulRasaq said.

The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States in attendance.

The Star