The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for laying a solid foundation for Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau called on all Nigerians to support the President’s efforts in addressing the country’s challenges.
“By May 29, it will be exactly two years since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office. While we are not yet where we aspire to be, it is unrealistic to expect to reach the promised land in less than 23 months, especially given the deep-rooted challenges that have plagued our nation for decades,” Barau stated. “The journey has begun—though the road is rough, it is a path towards the restoration of Nigeria’s former glory. Rebuilding a shattered structure is never easy.”
He noted that for decades, critical sectors such as power, road infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, water, and housing have all suffered neglect. Compounding the situation, he said, is the global economic turbulence driven by the ongoing Russia–Ukraine and Israel–Palestine conflicts, which have triggered a sharp rise in the cost of goods and services worldwide—Nigeria included.
“The good news is that President Tinubu is genuinely committed to tackling these issues. A breath of fresh air is already sweeping through every part of the country, to the admiration of patriotic citizens across all divides,” he said.
Senator Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, emphasized that President Tinubu has shown unwavering resolve since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
“The direction is clear, and the foundation for national transformation and prosperity is being firmly established.
“Significant strides have been made, particularly in security. In the North-West, hundreds of terrorists have been neutralized. Although cases of kidnapping and isolated attacks still occur, they have significantly reduced compared to the past. The once-notorious Abuja–Kaduna highway is now safe again.
“In the South-East, the activities of unknown gunmen have decreased. In the North-East, Boko Haram was nearly eradicated, aside from recent attacks in parts of Borno State. I am confident our courageous Armed Forces will decisively deal with any remaining threats. Residents of the other five states in the region now live in relative peace—thanks to our gallant security personnel.”
He further noted that with improved security, the Federal Government recently launched the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector. According to him, the SAPZ program aims to modernize agriculture through innovation, private-sector investment, and strategic public partnerships.
“These zones are designed to create agro-industrial hubs that connect farmers to processors, minimize post-harvest losses, and expand rural economic opportunities. The first phase includes Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and the FCT. Phase two will include Bauchi, Borno, and Gombe,” he said.
Senator Barau expressed optimism that the creation of regional development commissions for the North-West, North-Central, South-East, South-West, and South-South will accelerate grassroots development across the country.
“With these commissions, we are set to witness unprecedented development at the regional and local levels.
“In addition, the long-delayed reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway, which lingered for eight years under the previous administration, has now been restarted and is receiving priority attention.”
On education, he hailed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) introduced by the Tinubu administration, describing it as unprecedented. He said thousands of students have already benefited, easing the financial burden on their parents and guardians.
Reflecting on the state of the economy when President Tinubu assumed office, Barau said, “The economy was in dire straits. But the President has taken bold steps to address fiscal imbalances.
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He has attracted billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, cleared the backlog of foreign exchange obligations, and addressed the trillions in ways and means inherited from the previous administration.”
He concluded by calling on all Nigerians to support the administration’s people-oriented and pro-poor policies.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Commander-in-Chief, has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s prosperity. Let’s support him. We have no other country but Nigeria. By God’s grace, we are on the path to a brighter future,” Senator Barau said.
