By Uche Amunike
President Bola Tinubu has held the first Council of State Meeting at the Council of State Chambers of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Tuesday, with former presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan in attendance.
At the meeting, which kicked off at 12.45pm (local time) with an opening ceremony where attendees sang and recited the national anthem and national pledge respectively, recent events like the economy of the country, food, national security and #EndBadGovernance protests were discussed.
Recall that the last time a Council of State meeting was held in the country was 18 months after they last met on February 10, 2023 during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, when he convened the meeting after the crisis that was brought about by the new Naira olive and fuel scarcity.
The seven key issues that were discussed at President Tinubu’s Council of state meeting included how the nationwide protests on bad governance affects national security and the state of the economy. Concerning the agricultural sector, they will discuss food, security, availability and affordability.
He was also billed to make presentations on Consolidating the Gains in the solid Minerals Sector, Renewed Hope in Budgeting and Planning for Sustained Development, Renewed Hope in the Road Sector and also, leading a Strong Industrial Base for Transformation and Growth.
However, according to a report by The Punch, an anonymous source did state that the relevant ministers for each sector will make presentations on behalf of President Tinubu.
The source stated: ‘Although it states here that the President will be making these presentations himself his ministers will be briefing the Council on his behalf. For instance, we are expecting presentations by the National Security Adviser [Mr. Nuhu Ribadu], he will brief the Council on the nationwide protest as it affects national security.’
‘The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security [Abubakar Kyari] will discuss the food availability and affordability. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development [Mr. Dele Alake] will present on his sector, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning [Abubakar Bagudu] will present on budgeting.’
‘Minister of Works [David Umahi] will also present on the road infrastructure while the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment [Dr. Dorris Uzoka-Anite], will present on building a strong industrial base,’ he explained.
He also added that while these ministers are not members of the Council, they will appear briefly for the talks.
The National Council of State is the constitutional organ of the Nigerian government which plays the role of advising the executive on policy making among other functions. It is comprised of the president who served as Chairman, the Vice President, all former presidents and Heads of States of the country, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and all state governors.
Majorly, they play an advisory role and guide the president in processes of decision making on national security, appointments and economic policies.
