President Bola Tinubu on Monday told governors to remember the poor as he hosted them for an interfaith breaking of fast at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The president urged Muslim and Christian leaders to show greater compassion for the underprivileged and pursue policies that meet the needs of people at the grassroots level. He said the periods of Ramadan and Lent highlight a shared humanity and call for reflection and service.
“It is a joy and great honour to be with you again this year. To give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives and keeping us together to see another Ramadan.
“A great Ramadan that coincides with that of the Christian faith, Lent. You know what it means: discipline, sacrifice, faith, resilience, and strong determination to continue to bridge together, pray together, and love one another.
“For the humility, self-restraint, love for our neighbours, and their service for humanity, I want to thank all of you for what you have been able to get and achieve so far. I thank God for what we have been able to achieve together,” he said.
Tinubu added that more could be done to reduce poverty and empower young people.
“I didn’t expect this number because some governors are still buried in various congresses and other local government or state-level activities.
“Tolerate everybody and build structure in this period of faith, unity, harmony and sacrifice that you are experiencing. Let the young ones breathe too,” he said.
He welcomed Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and referred to events in Ebonyi State, urging its governor to “temper justice with mercy.”
The President also praised Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for supporting both Muslims and Christians during the fasting period.
“I must refer to the generosity of Prof. Zulum. I saw the layout of the Ramadan outreach for both Christians and Muslims. That is a very good spirit. I watched the story.
“To all of you, I am very grateful because we have seen progress and commitment to duty. But please, I appeal again, let’s go further to embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all the supporters.
“Let it be all encompassing so that we can spread the development opportunity across to the grassroots and local governments,” he said.
Tinubu said efforts to improve security would continue.
“We will establish state police to curb insecurity. This is not about politics. It is about practicality. It is about empowering states with the tools to protect their people while strengthening our national framework.
“We must be bold enough to reform what is not working. We must be united enough to protect what we hold dear.”
Imo State governor Hope Uzodimma, who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Governors Forum chairman, said the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent was significant.
“It is not often that the Muslim Ramadan fast coincides with the Lent season. The last time was 33 years ago. This convergence is a special situation created by God to remind us Christians and Muslims, not to allow religious and ethnic differences to guide our thoughts and our political activities,” he said.
