By Our Reporter,  Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, that ongoing reforms in security and the economy are yielding results, saying the country is stabilising and “prosperity is on the horizon.”

The President spoke at the State House on Wednesday while receiving the leadership of the CBCN led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna.

President Tinubu said the Federal Government was confronting terrorism, banditry and kidnapping through enhanced intelligence gathering, restructuring of security institutions, improved logistics, and better welfare for frontline personnel.

“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria… I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism,” he said.

He urged religious leaders to condemn violent attacks and support government efforts to end insurgency.

On the economy, the President said interventions such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, were being sustained to directly improve livelihoods. He stated that the economy had “recovered” from the risk of bankruptcy he inherited in 2023.

“I have been running with the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” Tinubu said.

He called on citizens to take advantage of opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition, noting that universities were running without ASUU strikes and that more universities had been approved to meet demand.

On democracy and elections, the President said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had remained neutral. “The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone,” he said.

He also addressed the issue of mission schools, recalling that he returned such schools to their owners while governor of Lagos State, and said state governors have the constitutional authority to decide on the matter.

Earlier, Archbishop Ndagoso commended the President for hosting the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States during the 50th anniversary of Nigeria-Vatican relations.

He raised concerns on security, limited spaces in tertiary institutions, poverty, and credible elections in 2027. He urged the government to consider the return of mission schools and ensure fair treatment for all worshippers.

“Your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” the CBCN President told Tinubu.

The delegation included Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, Archbishops Alfred Martins, Ignatius Kaigama, Gabriel Abegunrin and Valerian Okeke, Bishops Matthew Kukah, Gerald Musa, Emmanuel Badejo and others.