It was somewhat of a busy week for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for many reasons, but it was also a week that brought lots of reassurance and satisfaction for him. Busy because it was another week to juggle both local and international assignments and make a perfect delivery to his primary mandate; the Nigerian people. He sat over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, convened the maiden National Council of State (NCS) meeting of his administration on Tuesday, and jetted out to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, for a state visit on the invitation of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
The week also came with what has been considered one of the most exciting experiences of his stay in office, so far, because it was the week during which one of the most important organs of the Nigerian state, the National Council of State, which consists of those you will consider the most important figures of the country, gathered at the State House, at his behest, to deliberate on recent developments around the country, including the recent #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest and the embedded treasonous elements it came with, and decided to make a strong solidarity statement for democracy by passing a vote of confidence on President Tinubu.
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The import of convening of the Council of State meeting and the significance of the action it took in passing a vote of confidence would be better appreciated when you understand what the Council is all about. The National Council of State is an organ possessing an advisory status that is higher than what the statutes bestow on even the FEC. It draws its significance from the nature of its composition, which includes the President himself as the Chairman of Council; the Vice President as Deputy Chairman; former presidents and heads of state; all former Chief Justices of Nigeria; President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives; all the Governors of the states of the Federation; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation; the National Security Adviser (NSA), and others.
Now imagine this august gathering, after listening to briefs from various members of the administration, including a security brief by the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, who revealed to them that the nation and the government just managed to escape a trap set by those who had other plans than protesting hunger or insecurity, then deciding to condemn the use of subterfuge to effect a change of democratically elected government and passing a vote of confidence on the President, condemning the unconstitutional attempt and giving kudos to the citizens. It must have been one of the best days of his stay in office.
Giving an account of the meeting, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the Council, especially after listening to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, commended Nigerians for resisting unconstitutional attempts to alter the government, emphasizing that any change must be through the ballot box. He said the NSA had reassured the gathering of the security agencies’ readiness to protect Nigeria’s democracy and territorial integrity.
Alake also revealed that the meeting featured presentations from seven ministers, including Alake himself, on the progress, prospects, and challenges in their respective ministries, with a focus on the Renewed Hope Agenda’s emphasis on economic diversification. The ministers who made presentations included those from the Ministries of Economy, Finance, Budget, Works, Trade and Investment, and Agriculture.
Alake noted that the presentations were well-received, with positive feedback from the Council. The meeting’s composition included former heads of state, governors, the National Security Adviser, Attorney-General, and other stakeholders. The gathering reaffirmed the commitment to democracy and economic diversification, with a unified resolve to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
Also, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), expressed unwavering support for President Tinubu, passing a unanimous vote of confidence in his leadership. Updating journalists on the outcome of the meeting, Chairman of the NGF, who is also the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, highlighted the governors’ satisfaction with the presentations by members of the federal cabinet. An executive session between the NGF members and President Tinubu followed, resulting in frank and fruitful discussions. AbdulRazaq said, “members of the NGF also passed a vote of confidence on Mr. President. We wish him well and pray for God’s guidance for him”
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, also presented a reassuring picture of Nigeria’s economy to the Council, updating the gathering on the progress made in implementing the President’s macroeconomic policies. He highlighted encouraging data from the first half of the year, showcasing economic growth, a surplus in trade and current account balances, stabilizing exchange rates, and slowing inflation. Edun attributed these improvements to support from foreign and domestic investors, particularly in infrastructure projects and foreign direct investment.
Edun further identified significant opportunities for growth, citing non-oil exports, which reached $55 billion last year, and the service sector, including software, computer, accounting, and personnel services. He emphasized the potential for young Nigerians to provide services globally through the internet and telephones, creating a new avenue for economic growth. He assured the Council that efforts to address the high cost of living, support agriculture, industry, and small-scale businesses would continue. With an optimistic outlook, Edun concluded that Nigeria’s economy and society are poised for growth and progress, driven by the administration’s economic policies and interventions.
Listening to these updates by officials of the government definitely reassured those you will describe as the ‘key stakeholders of the Nigerian Federation’ and definitely earned President Tinubu their confidence and needed support.
A day after securing that landmark support and vote of confidence, President Tinubu went on pursuing the agenda for a stronger national economy. You will recall that one of the targets of his administration is attracting more foreign direct investments through stronger diplomatic ties with friendly nations. Also, he has made it clear from the onset that strengthening diplomatic and bilateral relations with other African countries will lead the focus of his administration’s foreign affairs policy. So on Wednesday he embarked on a three-day state visit to one of the neighbouring countries within the Gulf of Guinea, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, on the invitation of Equatorial Guinean President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
While in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, the landmark agreement on Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project was signed, a $2.5 billion project, which is meant to deliver Nigeria’s natural gas feedstock to Equatorial Guinea’s LNG, gas, and methanol plants. The project is expected to create substantial employment opportunities in the gas value chain, with construction of the pipeline involving workers from both countries. According to a statement by the President’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, that agreement covered legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline, establishment and operation, transit of natural gas, ownership of the gas pipeline, and general principles.
Beyond the gas treaty, the two presidents agreed to boost trade between the countries and explore joint export opportunities. The visit also, among other exciting benefits, saw to the resuscitation of the Joint National Commission, with its first meeting scheduled for November. The Commission, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, will facilitate cooperation on safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Meanwhile, the visit to Equatorial Guinea was another platform for President Tinubu to call the attention of leaders of the African continent to the common challenges facing Africa and its people. To him, solving the myriad of challenges facing the continent would continue to be elusive until solutions are sought, developed and applied from within.
“Concerning Africa, conflicts and conflict resolution were discussed. We discussed various areas of conflicts and what we can do to promote peace. We talked about promotion of peace and stability in our countries, and growth and prosperity on our continent. In the same way that Europe and America have kept themselves and found a solution for their conflicts, we have to look at both inadequate capital, industrialization efforts, research and development programmes, and enlighten our people, navigate our way through problems. Instead of the crisis and conflicts that we see in the Republic of Congo, and others, we have to look inwards to solve problems ourselves”, the President said.
The week saw more than just the Council of State meeting and the state visit to Equatorial Guinea. There was a FEC meeting on Monday, which was preceded by the swearing in of a new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, in the person of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack. Monday was also the International Day of the Youth and the President ensured to use the opportunity to reassure Nigerian youths of his administration’s commitment to their development and expressed his confidence in the ingenuity and versatility of the Nigerian youth.
In the new week, he is expected to continue with taking steps at realizing the Nigeria of our dream, especially with the boost recently received from the Council of State and the Governors’ Forum.
