President Bola Tinubu yesterday declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies as Nigeria joined much of the world in celebrating May Day.
The president described both challenges as grave threats to jobs, productivity and the overall stability of the country.
But he said his administration has already initiated measures to address insecurity while simultaneously creating employment opportunities, one of which is the Community Protection Guards Initiative.
This scheme, according to him, has provided employment opportunities for 45,000 young Nigerians to secure communities.
The President, in a goodwill message to Workers’ Day celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja, said the twin challenges have continued to erode livelihoods and weaken economic confidence.
“There cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives or where wages cannot feed a family,” he said, aligning his message with the global May Day theme on the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
He acknowledged that insecurity and poverty remain “significant obstacles,” but explained that government is confronting both through coordinated and sustained actions.
Tinubu said the expanded cash transfer component of the Renewed Hope Agenda has reached about 15 million vulnerable households, lifting an estimated 7.5 million Nigerians out of poverty.
(The Nation)
