President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state governors across Nigeria to stay focused on delivering concrete results for their citizens, calling on them to disregard distractions from “armchair critics.”
Speaking during a two-day working visit to Katsina State, President Tinubu emphasized that the true measure of leadership lies in visible impact and service to the people.
“Let the people be at the heart of your programmes. Your hard work and concrete achievements will answer any criticism. Ignore distractions—your results will speak for you,” Tinubu said.
The President was in Katsina to commission several landmark projects, including the 24-kilometre Eastern Bypass, completed by Governor Dikko Umar Radda in just 18 months, and the Katsina Agricultural Mechanized Centre, a hub expected to serve all 34 local government areas in the state.
Commending Governor Radda’s efforts, Tinubu noted that the progress made in areas such as agriculture, education, infrastructure, and healthcare within a short time was commendable.
“You are a patriot and a progressive mind with honesty. The commitment you have shown is highly commendable,” Tinubu added.
Focus on Agriculture, Not Oil
Reiterating his administration’s emphasis on food security, the President stressed that agriculture remains Nigeria’s most reliable path to prosperity. He pledged the revitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture to support farmers with access to funding and mechanised tools.
“We must invest in mechanisation and water management. The old style of agriculture is gone. Farming will be our source of prosperity and growth,” Tinubu said.
He added that poverty and hunger are the greatest threats to national peace and stability and that aggressive investment in agriculture was key to defeating them.
Radda’s Scorecard
In his remarks, Governor Dikko Radda revealed that over 160km of roads had been constructed or rehabilitated across the state. He also disclosed that with support from the federal government’s N25 billion intervention fund, the state had acquired 400 tractors to support farmers across the state.
The governor added that 4,000 irrigation pumping machines and 448,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser were distributed to farmers in 2024, with another 400,000 metric tonnes set for 2025.
National and State Dignitaries Present
The high-level event was attended by governors from Borno, Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, and Jigawa States. Also present were former governors Aminu Bello Masari and Ibrahim Shema, along with federal ministers of culture, solid minerals, and agriculture.
President Tinubu also expressed gratitude to the traditional institutions of Katsina and Daura Emirates, thanking them for their continued support of national unity and peace.
“Katsina is home to me. Thank you for the warm welcome and for standing with Nigeria’s unity, peace, and progress,” he concluded.
