Tony Blair, a former British prime minister, has said he is ready to help Bola Tinubu’s new administration win election.
According to a statement made by a spokesman for the office of the president-elect, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Mr. Blair made the commitment on Tuesday when he visited Mr. Tinubu at the Defence House in Abuja.
The former prime minister stated that the Tinubu administration would be a willing partner of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which he founded, particularly in prioritising its objectives and execution.
He claimed that ever since he had left his position as prime minister of the UK, he had been collaborating with governments all over the world to help them carry out their mandates.
He claimed that the Blair Institute is working on a project in Nigeria and felt it was his duty to meet the country’s new leader to learn about his priorities.
“We’d like to offer any assistance we can with your administration. President-elect Tinubu was told by Mr. Blair, “We only need to know what the leadership priorities are and help in how to actualize them.
He also praised Mr. Tinubu’s campaign, noting its emphasis on important issues like security, the economy, agriculture, and power. He referred to these issues’ interconnectedness as being essential to the growth of any society.
He expressed hope that the Tinubu administration would receive the backing it needs to promote economic growth in the nation given the investors’ demonstrated desire to invest in Nigeria.
However, Mr. Blair acknowledged the challenging task Mr. Tinubu and other leaders faced in this time of unrest around the world.
“It’s difficult to serve in government today, anywhere in the world. You can’t really do much about the things that are happening in the world that affect you, he said.
In his reply, President-elect Tinubu thanked Mr. Blair for the visit and the offer to collaborate with his administration.
Despite highlighting the significance of addressing investment challenges and the requirement for social investment to combat poverty, he spoke of the shared vision between him and the Tony Blair Institute in their priority areas.
“Yes, we face difficulties. However, where is our bravery? We can end poverty, disease, and ignorance in Africa. To ensure that democracy benefits our people, we must put in a lot of effort, Mr. Tinubu said.
Because there is no guarantee that investors will arrive without effective security, he continued, “We must invest more, put technology in place, and keep terrorists at bay.”
The incoming president pledged to create a favourable environment that would attract investors and present opportunities for the populace.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President-elect Tinubu, Wale Edun, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Nuhu Ribadu, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, and Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council Zacch Adedeji all accompanied Mr. Tinubu to the meeting.
