Tinubu pledges 500,000 jobs for Nigerians as Ajaokuta Steel Complex nears completion

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the flag off of the APC Governorship Campaign, in Kogi State, assures the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Complex will boost Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment, job opportunities, as well as the much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors of the economy to thrive

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sunday, October 8, 2023, declared as the hitherto abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex is about to be completed, the expansive project will have the capacity to employ 500,000 Nigerians, once designated as a free trade zone.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President) Sunday stated President Tinubu further promised to fully harness the potential of the iconic Steel Complex upon completion.

Crowds at APC Governorship Campaign in Kogi State

Tinubu explained the facility also would boost Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and provide an avenue for the creation of the much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors to thrive.

Vice-President (VP) Sen. Kashim Shettima, GCON, who represented Tinubu, disclosed the development at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.

ConsumerConnect reports the off-season governorship polls in the state is slated for November 11 this year.

Addressing a mammoth crowd in Lokoja, VP Shettima asserted that Tinubu remained committed to completing the constructions of the River Niger, Kabba-Lokoja and Abuja-Lokoja Roads.

President Tinubu, VP  Shettima stated, is a man of plenty ideas who is determined to reposition the West African country in its rightful place, especially as it borders on restructuring and stimulating the Nigerian economy.

Shettima stated: “Given Mr. President’s commitment to the development of Kogi State, and indeed, the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the (power) centre, in Abuja, FCT.

“We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation.”

The Vice-President further hinted at the Tinubu administration’s plans to make the Itakpe Crop Processing project a dream come true.

He equally promised jobs and affordable education under the current administration in the country.

Re-emphasising that the welfare of the citizenry would never be willfully compromised, VP Shettima urged Kogi citizens to come out en masse November 11 to vote for Ahmed Usman Ododo, the candidate of the APC, in order to consolidate 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 country at large.

He noted that President Tinubu had further given his nod for the rehabilitation of Obajana-Okene Road, also in Kogi State.

Speaking earlier at the event, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State thanked Tinubu for accepting to kick-off the governorship campaign in his state.

Governor Bello disclosed that his administration had achieved a lot, and it would be time for consolidation in order to move the state forward.

“We have done a lot in the area of security, education and health, among others. We want to consolidate 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.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, APC National Chairman, said because Governor Bello had provided good governance to the people of Kogi, the state could  not afford to be left behind by giving power to another party different from the one at the centre.

Also speaking at the campaign, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who is Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Kogi State, also 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.

Ahmed Ododo, Kogi State APC governorship candidate, pledged to carry the people of the state along if elected.

saying he remained committed to the development agenda of Kogi State.

Ododo assured his people:  “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.”

Other dignitaries at the campaign rally were the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and members of the National Working Committee of the APC, among others.

Earlier, Vice-President’s engagements in Kogi State had started with an audience with traditional rulers and other stakeholders of the state ahead of the November 11 governorship election.

During 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 Matthew Ipaluwa, pledged their support for President Tinubu.

The royal father commended Governor, Yahaya Bello for working hard in addressing security challenges in the state.

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