There is another indication from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that local refineries are poised to start the production of petroleum products.
It’s worth recalling that shortly after assuming office, the President declared that the Port Harcourt refinery would recommence operations by December 2023.
Over the weekend, during the 11th Convocation ceremony of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), the President indicated that the current high fuel prices would experience a reduction once the local refineries are operational.
‘Very soon, some of our local refineries will start production and the current exorbitant prices of fuel energy will be greatly reduced,’ he said.
Professor Garba Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, representing the President, acknowledged the current economic hardships in the country and provided assurance that they would soon ease.
He called for patience and the unwavering support of Nigerians for his administration as it strives to address the challenges facing the country.
‘Bear with us and remain resolutely in support of this administration as we would leave no stone unturned in reversing the severe hardships that our people are currently passing through.’
‘Part of the supplementary budget that the Parliament has approved will be applied to bring interventions at critical segments of the agricultural sector.’
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‘The burden of insecurity is clearly a major challenge in Nigeria, but I assure you that in no distant time, it will become history.’
The President tasked universities of Agriculture in the country to rise to the challenges of food scarcity.
‘As a nation, we are looking up to the Universities to innovatively drive the transformation of our Agricultural sector to achieve food security and the Sustainable Development Goals.’
He promised that his administration would continue to provide the needed support to specialized universities and agric-related institutions to fulfill their mandate.
The President promoted collaboration, encouraging private organizations to collaborate with Universities of Agriculture, establishing partnerships and linkages to amplify agricultural research findings with a shared win-win objective.
President Tinubu acknowledged the array of challenges in Nigeria but assured that he is actively working to solve them.
‘This administration is aware of the myriad of socio-economic and political problems that the citizens of our nation are passing through. We are, however, determined to find a lasting solution to the tough times,’ Tinubu said.
‘Our policy instruments are currently being fine-tuned with the view to dealing firmly with the causes and not the symptoms of the problems. Tinubu wished the graduands well and urged them to ‘help fast-track the rapid development of our country.’
Assuring the populace, he reiterated his government’s continuous support for the provision and enhancement of infrastructure in tertiary institutions.
Out of the 8,369 graduands, 121 achieved First Class, and 1,941 earned Second Class Upper Division, marking a significant accomplishment.
Among the graduands, 3,063 secured Second Class Lower Division, 1,121 earned Third Class, and six were awarded Passes.
Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, the Vice-Chancellor, furnished statistics for the graduating students, revealing 6,917 for Bachelor’s degree, 159 for Post Graduate Diploma, 802 for Masters degree, and 491 for Doctorate degree.
The Vice-Chancellor restated the commitment of the university to fulfilling its core mandate, highlighting that its products and staff have been making waves in research and job creation.