“The President further promised to fully harness the potentials of the Complex once it is completed, as it would boost Nigeria’s foreign direct investment.”
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s campaign for the Kogi governorship race. The APC is targeting the 500,000 jobs that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex would provide.
The exercise’s campaign, which is scheduled for November 11th, was held on Sunday in Lokoja, the state capital.
The Ajaokuta Steel Complex, according to Tinubu, who was present at the occasion through Vice President Kashim Shettima, will attract investment to Nigeria and strengthen its economy.
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated on Sunday that the project, which had previously been abandoned, will be able to employ 500,000 Nigerians if it is recognised as a free trade zone, according to a statement from Shettima’s press secretary Stanley Nkwocha.
The President added pledged to fully utilise the Complex’s potentials once it is finished, as doing so would increase Nigeria’s foreign direct investment and open up a path for the development of the supportive business environment that is necessary for the growth of all sectors.
As AJAOKUTA Steel nears completion, President Tinubu pledges 500,000 jobs.
The previously abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex is now close to completion, according to President @officialABAT, and the project will have the potential to… pic.twitter.com/wjsnhmSmtz
“Kogi State, being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the centre given Mr. President’s dedication to the development of the state and, in fact, the entire nation of Nigeria. To build our great nation, we must collaborate and prosper together, the vice president stated, according to the release.
Read the full statement below.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
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PRESIDENT TINUBU PLEDGES 500,000 JOBS AS AJAOKUTA STEEL NEARS COMPLETION
Flags off the Kogi APC governorship campaign
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared on Sunday that with the hitherto abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex now nearing completion, the project will have the capacity to employ 500,000 Nigerians once designated as a free trade zone.
The President further promised to fully harness the potential of the complex once it is completed, as it would boost Nigeria’s foreign direct investment and provide an avenue for the creation of a much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors to thrive.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, made this known at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
The governorship poll in the state is slated for November 11.
Addressing a mammoth crowd in Lokoja, VP Shettima also noted that Tinubu remained committed to completing the construction of the River Niger, the Kabba-Lokoja, and the Abuja-Lokoja roads.
President Tinubu, VP Shettima stated, is a man of plenty of ideas who is determined to reposition the nation in its rightful place, especially as it borders on restructuring and stimulating the Nigerian economy.
“Given Mr. President’s commitment to the development of Kogi State and indeed the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, we cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the center. We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation,” the Vice President said.
He further hinted about plans by the Tinubu administration to make the Itakpe crop processing project a dream come true, just as he promised jobs and affordable education under the present government.
Reemphasizing that the welfare of the citizenry would never be willfully compromised, VP Shettima called on Kogi citizens to come out en masse on November 11 to vote for the candidate of the APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in order to consolidate on the achievements of the APC government in the state.
He added that the natural endowments of Kogi State would be harnessed for the development of the state and the nation at large, adding that President Tinubu had further given his nod for the rehabilitation of the Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State.
Speaking earlier, Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, thanked President Tinubu for accepting to flag off the governorship campaign in his state, disclosing that his administration has achieved a lot and that it is time for consolidation in order to move the state forward.
“We have done a lot in the areas of security, education, and health, among others. We want to consolidate on that. I am, therefore, calling on the people of our dear state to vote for our candidate in order to move Kogi State forward,” he said.
For his part, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje said that because Governor Yahaya Bello has provided good governance to the people of Kogi, the state cannot afford to be left behind by giving power to another party different from the one at the centre.
Also, the Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Kogi State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, enjoined the people of Kogi State to clean up their voter cards and turn out in numbers to vote for the candidate of the APC in the November 11 governorship election.
On his part, Kogi State APC governorship candidate Ahmed Ododo pledged to carry the people of the state along if elected, saying he remained committed to the development agenda of Kogi State.
“We will build on the legacies of my mentor, Governor Yahaya Bello. We will give attention to security, education, agriculture, and health. Our women will also be empowered,” he said.
Other dignitaries at the campaign rally were the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; and members of the National Working Committee of the APC, among others.
The Vice President’s engagements in Kogi had started with an audience with traditional rulers and other stakeholders of the state ahead of the November 11 governorship election.
In the audience with the stakeholders, VP Shettima also solicited support for the APC candidate in the forthcoming election.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the President, Kogi State Traditional Council, and the Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Ipaluwa, pledged their support for President Bola Tinubu.
The royal father commended the state governor, Yahaya Bello, for working hard to address security challenges in the state.
Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications
(Office of the Vice President)
October 8, 2023
