By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Federal and Ebonyi State governments have agreed to deepen collaboration on President Bola Tinubu?s reform agenda, with a renewed focus on infrastructure, economic empowerment, and social investment in the South-East.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital on Friday, during a courtesy visit to Governor Francis Nwifuru.

Idris led a high-powered delegation of federal information and security agencies, including the National Intelligence Agency, Voice of Nigeria VON, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC to the South-East recently.

The minister commended governor Nwifuru for championing public understanding of the President?s policy reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange rate.

He noted that while the policies were tough, they had already begun to yield results in fiscal savings, job creation, and improved funding for projects.

?Over 400,000 Nigerians from all parts of the country have benefitted from new education support schemes, with more than N86 billion spent on tuition and accommodation for students from poor homes.

"The Federal Government has also released over N200 billion to revive small and medium-scale enterprises,? ldris stated.

He assured that the Tinubu administration would continue to prioritise the South-East zone, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and inclusive appointments that have placed more young people and South-Easterners in key government positions.

Responding, Governor Nwifuru expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged Ebonyi?s readiness to work closely with the Federal Government to consolidate the gains of ongoing reforms.

?Our duty is to ensure that policies translate to tangible benefits for our people, especially the youth. We will continue to strengthen systems and build on the foundations already laid,? Nwifuru said.

The event, attended by top state officials, security chiefs, and community leaders, is expected to open new channels for collaboration on roads, healthcare, education, and enterprise development across Ebonyi State.

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