President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said his administration will practise a style of democracy that eliminates poverty while providing quality education for Nigerian children.
However, he reasoned that this would take strong collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments.
“I am committed to supporting a strong and ideologically-determined democracy that is progressive, inclusive, and focused on eliminating poverty while providing quality education for our children,” Tinubu said when he received members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, in Lagos.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled, ‘President Tinubu: Nigeria’s progressive movement must deliver on quality education for all Nigerian children and jobs for youths.’
Tinubu, who expressed support for the establishment of the National Institute of Progressive Studies, said democracy must be progressive and inclusive and focus on addressing poverty by providing job opportunities for youths and quality education for all Nigerian children.
The President noted that the institute is expected to conduct diligent research and educate all party members on the principles of democracy and good governance while providing a distinct identity for the party.
“Democracy has faced challenges in the past, but I believe in a promising future for our country. We will deliver it.
“Collaboration with various government arms is crucial, and I commend the leadership of our party for working hard to promote these essential ideals,” the President stated.
The President called on the party’s leadership to target more youths and women in its e-registration and digital membership validation exercise scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
“I stand solidly with you in the advancement of the progressive ideological stance of our party and we will pursue it with vigour,” he stated.
Tinubu thanked members of the party for the overwhelming show of support for him during the campaigns, the electoral victory, and the affirmation of his presidency by the Supreme Court.
“It has been a while since we have had the opportunity to come together, especially since the Supreme Court ruling.
“I had hoped for a gathering, but the demanding tasks of my office that we fought for have called for increased focus, dedication, and time,” the President said.
Tinubu expressed concern about the alarming figure of out-of-school children in the country, declaring, “We must address this issue by establishing more schools, recruiting teachers, and providing at least one meal a day for the school children, aligning with the progressive ideology we aim to pursue.”
The National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, informed the President that the NWC plans to ensure the party’s success in the coming bye-elections into National and State legislative houses in February 2024.
“We assure Your Excellency that under our leadership and with your consent, strategies have been put in place to win the support of our people and secure all the seats available for the electoral contest,” he said.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the former Kano Governor said Nigerians should expect the establishment of the National Institute of Progressive Studies and expect more from the Federal Government and the APC as an institution.
“We have in our programme for the establishment of National Institute of Progressive Studies, so that we enlighten our members, even members of the public in Nigeria, on the doctrine of democracy, on the issues of internal democracy, issue of avoiding hate speeches, and also issues of abiding by the rules of the law pertaining to the election and other processes,” he stated.
Ganduje noted that the soon-to-be-established institutie will work with the government by formulating the appropriate policies that strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
On the purpose of the visit, he said, “We are here to share the joy or the celebrations of Christmas and also the joy of the new year 2024.
“Also, to condole the President on the death of two political giants that is the Governor of Ondo State and also the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba in Abuja, and also to congratulate him on his achievements so far in managing the affairs of this country.”