The previously abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex, which is currently close to completion, would be able to employ 500,000 Nigerians once it is approved as a free trade zone, according to President Bola Tinubu on Sunday.
The Complex’s potential would encourage Nigeria’s foreign direct investment and open a channel for the creation of the necessary favorable business environment for all sectors to thrive, and the President pledged to fully exploit it once it is finished.
In a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, it was stated that Vice President Kashim Shettima, who spoke on behalf of the President, made this statement at the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State.
On November 11, the state is set to hold its governorship election.
Speaking to a sizable crowd in Lokoja, Vice President Shettima added that Tinubu was still committed to finishing the River Niger, Kabba-Lokoja, and Abuja-Lokoja motorways.
According to VP Shettima, President Tinubu is a guy of many ideas who is motivated to put the country back in its proper place, particularly when it comes to restructuring and boosting the Nigerian economy.
“Kogi State, being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the center given Mr. President’s dedication to the development of the state and, in fact, the entire nation of Nigeria. To build our wonderful nation, we must collaborate and progress together, the vice president stated.
In addition, he said that the Tinubu administration had plans to turn the Itakpe crop processing facility into a reality, just as he had promised that the current administration would provide jobs and inexpensive education.
In order to build on the successes of the APC government in the state, VP Shettima urged Kogi residents to cast their votes in large numbers for Ahmed Usman Ododo on November 11. He emphasized once again that the welfare of the populace will never be purposefully compromised.
The natural resources of Kogi State, he continued, would be used for both the state’s and the country’s development. He also mentioned that President Tinubu had given his approval for the restoration of the Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State.
Alh. Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, praised President Tinubu for agreeing to launch the governorship race in his state early. He said that his administration has accomplished a lot and that consolidation is necessary to advance the state.
“We have made significant progress in a number of areas, including security, education, and health. We want to strengthen that. Therefore, I am urging the citizens of our beloved state to support our candidate in order to advance Kogi State,” he stated.
According to Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the APC, Kogi cannot afford to fall behind by electing a party that is different from the one in power since Governor Yahaya Bello has provided the people of Kogi with effective government.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who is the chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Kogi State, also exhorted the residents of Kogi State to update their voter registration records and show out in large numbers to support the APC candidate in the governorship election on November 11.
Ahmed Ododo, the APC candidate for governor of Kogi State, promised to lead the state’s citizens forward if elected, stating that he remained dedicated to the development agenda of Kogi State.
“We shall continue my mentor Governor Yahaya Bello’s legacy. Security, education, agriculture, and health will all be priorities. Also empowered will be our women, he promised.
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and members of the National Working Committee of the APC were among the dignitaries present at the event.
Prior to the November 11 governorship election, the Vice President’s engagements in Kogi had begun with a meeting with traditional chiefs and other state stakeholders.
VP Shettima also requested support for the APC candidate in the upcoming election at the meeting with the stakeholders.
The President of the Kogi State Traditional Council and the Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Ipaluwa, responded on behalf of his colleagues and promised their support for President Bola Tinubu.
The state’s governor, Yahaya Bello, was congratulated by the royal father for working hard to alleviate the state’s security issues.