President Bola Tinubu has declared that the federal government will overcome banditry and terrorism, describing the fight as a top priority. He made the statement on Saturday while inaugurating the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ogun State. The airport, a major infrastructure project by the Ogun State Government, is expected to boost regional trade, ease congestion at Lagos airports, and stimulate economic activity in the state. Tinubu praised Governor Dapo Abiodun for delivering the project, calling it a model of state-led development that aligns with the federal agenda of economic transformation. "We will win over banditry," Tinubu said, without detailing specific security strategies. He also stressed the importance of investing in education, healthcare, and job creation to build long-term national stability. The airport is scheduled to begin commercial operations in the coming months, with initial flights expected to serve domestic and regional routes.
Tinubu's vow to defeat banditry rings hollow without a clear plan, especially as the same speech focused heavily on an airport inauguration. Governor Dapo Abiodun now has a functional airport to his name, but ordinary Nigerians in conflict zones are still waiting for proof that security is being treated with equal urgency. Economic projects like the Gateway Airport may attract investors, but they do little for citizens who cannot travel safely to work, school, or home. Promises mean little when action remains uneven.
