President Bola Tinubu says his administration is taking appropriate measures to reduce the cost of living, especially food prices, in Nigeria.

Tinubu made this known in his Independence Day broadcast on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

The president said: “The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.

“My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home.”

He commended the governors of Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, and Nasarawa States, as well as the South-West Governors who he said have embraced his government’s agricultural production programme.

Tinubu also urged other states to join the federal government in investing in mechanised farming, saying: “We are playing our part by supplying fertilizer and making tractors and other farm equipment available.

Tinubu to Nigerians: I know you’re struggling, I’ll end your sufferings

“Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months.

“Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The federal government is ready to assist the 36 states and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.

“Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace.”

Speaking on insecurity, President Tinubu said his administration is winning the war on terrorism and banditry, adding: “Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible.

“As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this.”

The Star