President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday received the Founder of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, at his private Ikoyi residence in Lagos, where the cleric expressed his hopes for a more united and progressive Nigeria.
Addressing journalists after the closed-door meeting, Pastor Bakare described the engagement as fruitful, revealing that he shared with the President his vision for a Nigeria that works for all its citizens.
“My vision is to see a nation that works, and those things I’ve discussed with Mr President. They are not hidden things,” Bakare said.
He emphasised that while the substance of their conversation would remain private, he trusted in President Tinubu’s capacity and divine guidance to act in the best interest of the country.
“In my life, I’ve learnt that when you discuss with the person in charge, you leave it to him to do whatsoever he wills with what you have suggested. I have had a private conversation with Mr President, and I am glad that he received me well. I trust that God will help our nation”, he said.
Bakare, a former presidential aspirant and consistent advocate for national rebirth, offered a message of optimism regarding Tinubu’s role in steering Nigeria toward recovery and stability.
“God building him, giving him wisdom will help this nation not to slide or go down the drain, but to bounce back—to leave a mark that cannot be erased,” Bakare said.
Reflecting on his vision for a better Nigeria, Pastor Bakare called for stronger unity among citizens, especially across regional and cultural lines.
“I would like to see Nigerians being their brother’s keeper. I would like to see collaborations between the best of the North and the best of the South to steer Nigeria in the right direction”, he noted.
He further urged decisive action to address lingering socioeconomic challenges.
“I would like to see predictable progress in our nation. We have danced around some subjects for too long a time. It’s time to take concrete action to ensure that masses of our country do not live in abject poverty”, he said.
While no official statement has been released from the presidency on the content of their discussion, the tone of the meeting suggests mutual respect and a shared interest in building bridges toward a more inclusive national agenda.
Lantana Nasir