‘He’s a revolutionary leader’ — Shettima says Tinubu committed to reviving Nigeria’s economy

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to reviving Nigeria’s economy through bold initiatives and transformative policies.

Shettima spoke in Abuja on Friday when he hosted Mark Maloney, chairman of the trustee of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, at the State House.

Stanley Nkwocha, the vice-president’s spokesperson, said Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to driving economic growth and transforming the nation’s healthcare system.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to repositioning the Nigerian nation. He is a revolutionary leader who has made far-reaching decisions for the betterment of this country—decisions unmatched in contemporary history,” Nkwocha quoted the vice-president saying.

Nkwocha said Shettima assured that the federal government will continue investing in education to address Nigeria’s youthful population and drive positive change.

He noted that education is the ultimate game changer, which offers the opportunity for even the most disadvantaged to rise and make an impact.

“With education, within a generation, the son of a pauper can be a celebrated icon. Ours is a young nation and the average age of the Nigerian nation is 16.9. Education gives us the greatest window to engage these young ones,” Shettima said.

“The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa, and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. One out of every four black person is a Nigerian. Nigeria is where the action is because Nigeria is where the human needs are more tremendous.”

The vice-president lauded the significant contributions of Rotary International and other stakeholders to Nigeria’s development.

He affirmed Nigeria’s readiness for economic resurgence, urging Rotary International to combat environmental challenges through initiatives like the Great Green Wall.

“We need your support in aggressive environmental regeneration. It’s a win-win for all,” he added.

Also speaking, Maloney commended Nigeria’s progress in healthcare, particularly the eradication of wild poliovirus, due to effective government collaborations.

“The Rotary Foundation has funded 34 million dollars in health-related projects in Nigeria over the past year,” he said.

“We were pleased that the last case of wild poliovirus occurred in 2016, and Nigeria, along with the continent of Africa, was declared wild poliovirus-free. Now we are facing the issue of vaccine-derived wild poliovirus.

“We appreciate the work of the federal government in partnership with Rotary, WHO, UNICEF, and other global organisations for their efforts at combating the new polio variant.”

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, commended Rotary International and the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation for their “life-changing” philanthropic efforts.

“I was so glad when I heard the intention to donate five million dollars by the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation to help and partner with the Rotary Foundation to deal with maternal mortality in the country,” the minister said.

“As you know, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying to crush maternal mortality, and there is an initiative to reduce mothers dying from pregnancy when there is a complication.

“So, contributions from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation will go a long way in helping to address maternal mortality.”

He added that beyond maternal mortality, there had been many contributions Offor had made to federal hospitals over the last one and a half years.

On his part, Offor pledged continued support for government healthcare initiatives.

“We want to ensure that the intentions of the present government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are actualised,” he said.

“I will stop at nothing in supporting the government in achieving its objective of making health services affordable for all Nigerians and accessible to the innermost part of this country.”