By COLLINS YAKUBU-HAMMER

President Bola Tinubu says the security and welfare of every Nigerian remain the sacred priorities of his government.

Tinubu stated this on Sunday in Lokoja, at the 10th Memorial Anniversary Celebration of the former governor of Kogi, Late Prince Abubakar Audu

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said his administration had taken various steps to deliver on the priorities.

The President said the recent declaration of a state of emergency on national security underscored the gravity with which his government viewed the challenge.

“It is not a mere proclamation. It is a declaration of war against all forms of insecurity.

“As part of this, we have immediately begun the process of expanding the capacity of our armed forces and security agencies in numbers, in advanced weaponry and intelligence capabilities,” he said.

The President reiterated that the mis-characterisation of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation is a gross distortion of reality.

“We are actively presenting the true picture of Nigeria to the world.

“A nation where people of different faiths live, walk and pray side by side in peace.

“We will not relent until the world sees us for who we truly are,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu said that his administration intensified efforts in the modernisation of the livestock sector, empowerment of youths and expansion of infrastructure to deliver dividends of democracy and boost the economy.

“We are moving beyond old age practices that have too often led to conflict. We are launching a comprehensive initiative to modernise the livestock industry.

“The initiative includes the creation of large-scale managing schemes, improved animal husbandry of the livestock value chain into our national economy,” he said.

He said the initiatives were designed to create prosperity, jobs, ensure food security and foster lasting peace.

“Through our social investment programs, we are placing the Nigerian people at the centre of our governance.

“We are scaling up interventions to provide direct support to the most vulnerable, funding and nurturing our small and medium enterprises, our youth with the skills to compete and thrive in the global economy.

“We are undertaking an unprecedented expansion of our national infrastructure, from modernising our roads and rail networks to enhancing our power infrastructure,” Tinubu said.

Speaking on the main event, the President said, Audu’s name is irrevocably woven into the very fabric of the nation’s democratic journey.

According to him, Audu carved out a vision for Kogi and helped laid the foundation for Nigeria’s enduring journey to democracy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that high point of the event was a book presentation titled, “Prince Abubakar Audu: A Legacy of Visionary Leadership”, put together by Dan Okolo and reviewed by Mr Adetokunbo Kayode.

Also, the Board of Trustees of Prince Abubakar Audu Leadership Foundation was inaugurated with fund raising to support the take-off of the Foundation. (NAN)