August 1, 2025 | Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state governors across Nigeria to make citizen welfare their central focus by intensifying efforts toward poverty eradication, agricultural modernization, rural electrification, and infrastructure development—key pillars of the administration’s broader vision for inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the 150th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of grassroots empowerment in driving national transformation. The meeting, which brought together governors and economic stakeholders, also witnessed the formal endorsement of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), a major initiative designed to elevate Nigeria’s 8,809 political wards through targeted interventions.
“I want to appeal to you: let us change the story of our people in the rural areas,” the President said. “We must invest in their future through mechanised agriculture, school feeding, security, and modern infrastructure.”
The President further announced the formation of a national steering committee to oversee the implementation of the RHWDP and directed the transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation to the Presidency. This, he said, would fast-track key legacy infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry super highways.
The RHWDP, spearheaded by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda which aims to drive Nigeria toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030. According to Budget Minister Senator Abubakar Bagudu, the programme is backed by constitutional provisions and mandates the mobilization of at least 1,000 economically active citizens per ward—with a minimum of 2,000 in larger wards—to stimulate local productivity and food security.
A National Steering Committee with representatives from all six geopolitical zones will supervise implementation, while the Ministry will serve as its secretariat.
Council Releases Emergency Funds, Reinforces Flood Preparedness
In a related development, the NEC also approved the immediate release of emergency response funds to all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and relevant agencies, as part of proactive efforts to mitigate the impact of impending floods forecasted for 2025.
This decision followed a presentation by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who flagged issues such as inadequate drainage systems, inactive local emergency committees, and lax enforcement of urban planning laws as key vulnerabilities.
To bolster preparedness, the NEC directed state governments to enforce environmental sanitation laws, activate Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and improve waste disposal systems. NEMA confirmed that early warning alerts had been issued between May and June, while search-and-rescue equipment had already been deployed to flood-prone areas.
Community participation was also highlighted as crucial, with residents encouraged to support awareness campaigns and take ownership of local risk-reduction measures.
The dual focus on development and disaster readiness underscores the administration’s strategy of multi-level collaboration, aimed at enhancing the resilience and prosperity of Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities.
