We inherited challenges” – Tinubu
By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR -The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated that the present administration inherited challenges that have developed over time as a country.
Tinubu, stated this on Friday, during an interface with traditional rulers in Cross River State shortly after the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme (South South) and the commissioning of some projects in the state.
According to her,”We inherited challenges, but from the beginning, we made it clear that we were not interested in blaming anyone.”
Tinubu, who acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, particularly following the removal of the fuel subsidy, said the Federal Government had introduced measures to cushion the effects of the reforms, citing increased allowances for National Youth Service Corps members and attention to pensioners’ welfare.
While calling for a collective efforts to address the challenges, she emphasised that there should be a sustained collaboration to ensure Government programmes and policies positively impact ordinary Nigerians.
She highlighted the impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) and other Federal Government interventions in agriculture, education, healthcare, nutrition and economic empowerment.
Tinubu said the Renewed Hope Initiative focuses on five major areas: education, social investment and development, agriculture, health, and economic empowerment.
She told the traditional rulers that agricultural support programmes implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture had provided more than ₦68.5 million to support farmers and empower women, in addition to distributing agricultural tools to beneficiaries.
The First Lady also disclosed that the initiative’s scholarship scheme provides indigent university students with a ₦1 million annual scholarship and a laptop, noting that some beneficiaries had already graduated while others were in their final year.
On healthcare, she highlighted her involvement in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at protecting young girls against cervical cancer, and stressed the importance of birth registration, saying proper registration gives children recognised identities and improves their access to basic rights and services.
The First Lady called for continued cooperation among government, traditional institutions, the private sector and development partners, stressing that collective action remained essential to achieving meaningful national development.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Abi Local Government, Solomon Edward called for stronger collaboration between traditional institutions and governments at all levels.
He described traditional rulers as important partners in development, citing their roles in resolving disputes, mobilising communities, promoting peace and supporting grassroots development.