Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

Agency Reporter

Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) has said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited the worst economic challenges so far in the Fourth Republic. 

However, he said the administration has shown commitment towards rebuilding the economy and the transformation of same to a strong, self sufficient economy. 

With a plea for more patience, he stated the President’s long-term vision driven by proactive policy towards achieving sustainable economic recovery, is slowly yielding fruits. 

Karimi spoke at the maiden edition of Igbaruku Day organised by Igbaruku-Okeri Community Development Association (ICDA) in Igbaruku-Okeri, Yagba West Local Council, Kogi State at the weekend.

Noting that the process of achieving economic recovery should be seen as a collective effort both by government and the citizenry “since government alone cannot make all that is good for the people happen”, the lawmaker charged the people to be patriotic and committed to the development of their communities.

 He stated that with the citizens playing thier parts, the economic challenges being faced by the current administration will be reasonably addressed with major successes and in the short-term. 

“The government of Tinubu inherited a bad, in fact the worst situation, so far. Tinubu met the average gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 1.8 percent. The four years average preceding the administration of Tinubu was 15.1 percent. 

“Nigeria was so bad that government printed money without activities to back it up. It is still our government, APC (All Progressives Congress). We admit that. Nigerian Naira was almost turned to paper, where one US Dollar equated 1900 Naira. But the Tinubu government is not resting on its oars. 

“They are working tirelessly everyday to find solutions to the problems. Today, one Dollar equals 1,300 Naira. Port Harcourt refinery is back, Warri refinery is back. With patience with President Tinubu, we will live to see the Nigeria of our dream, in the short-term,” he said. 

Karimi stated that the purpose of gatherings like Igbaruku Day is to bring people together to work towards a common goal of improving the quality of lives and standards of living in their communities.

While also reiterating his resolve to the infrastructural development of Kogi West, the Senator informed the people of his effort towards ensuring that the Iluhagba-Egbe Federalv Trunk A Road is given a facelift. 

He promised that the palliative repairs ongoing will resume very shortly so as to help ease the transportation of farm produce as well as improve the economy of the area. 

The Senator also spoke about the imperativeness of the financial autonomy of the local government administration as the panacea for grassroots development.

 Emphasising the need for the sub nationals to give their support for the “State Police” proposal to ensure the security of lives, properties and the economy of the local communities, he noted that the security of all Nigerians is a major priority and would be treated as such by the national assembly so as to give proper legislation to it whenever it comes up for deliberation.

The Senator prayed for the peace and prosperity of Igbaruku, Yagba, Kogi West and the Nation at large. 

Onigbaruku of Igbaruku, Oba J.O Babalola, decried the fallen standard of public schools in terms of absence of conducive learning environment, infrastructure and dearth of teachers in the community. 

He lamented the situation whereby the Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Oke-Eri could only boast of one teaching staff on the government payroll while others were recruited and paid by the community. 

The monarch appealed to the federal, state and YAG West local governments to also come to the aid of the community in the areas of education and youth development, security and environmental protection, health services and reticulation of borehole water and road construction with emphasis on Okutadudu-Iyamerin-Igbaruku-Odo-Ara-Omi-Ogga-Omuo-Ekiti Federal Road.

Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the 12-member committee (on) Igbaruku Council of Chiefs pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 of Kogi State Chiefs (Appointment, Deposition) and Establishment of Traditional Councils Law 2006; conferment of chieftaincy titles on individual contributors to community development projects and awards of excellence to individuals who have displayed outstanding leadership prowess.

Senator Smart Adeyemi, former Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Austen Olorunsola, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Trust Mortgage Bank, Mr Korede Adedayo, Engr Adefaramade Oniya, Chief Richard Asaje and Ms Yemisi Oshaloto were among dignitaries who received awards, honours and chieftaincy titles during this year’s Igbaruku Day. 

The occasion of Igbaruku Day 2024, which was the maiden edition of annual event of the gatherings of sons and daughters of the community was graced the Minority Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Idowu Ibikunle, Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Development, Engr Joseph Olusegun (who also represented Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo), members of Yagba West Traditional Council and many other Illustrious sons and daughters of Okunland.