Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s most challenging period is over, assuring citizens that the hardship of previous years are now giving way to relief.
The President stated this on Wednesday in a nationwide broadcast commemorating the 65th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.
President Tinubu lauded the resilience, support, and patience of Nigerians, pledging to serve all citizens faithfully and to justify the trust reposed in him by steering the nation’s ship toward a secure and more prosperous destination.
The Nigerian leader highlighted that under his leadership, the federal government has redirected the nation’s economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling more resources to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure, such as roads, power, broadband, and social investment programmes.
He noted that the initiatives are targeted towards improving Nigerians’ quality of life at all levels.
“Upon assuming office, our administration inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth. As a new administration, we faced a simple choice: continue business as usual and watch our nation drift, or embark on a courageous, fundamental reform path. We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit.
“In resetting our country for sustainable growth, we ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority. At the same time, the masses received little or nothing from our Commonwealth.
“Our administration has redirected the economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling money to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure, such as roads, power, broadband, and social investment programmes.
“These initiatives will generally improve Nigerians’ quality of life. As a result of the tough decisions we made, the Federal and State governments, including Local Governments, now have more resources to take care of the people at the lower level of the ladder, to address our development challenges,” the President added.
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Reaffirming his administration’s resolve to tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges with urgency, President Tinubu cited inadequate electricity and decaying infrastructure as legacies of past neglect.
Long-term Planning
He stressed that long-term planning is crucial to secure the nation’s future, adding that Nigeria must not only rehabilitate failing roads but also build new ones, alongside modern schools and hospitals capable of serving its people effectively.
“Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time. We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools our children will attend and the hospitals that will care for our people.
“We have to plan for the generations that will come after us. We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today, or the resources to repair our deteriorating roads, build seaports, railroads, and international airports comparable to the best in the world, because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago. Our administration is setting things right.
“ I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour.”
President Tinubu concluded his speech with a message of hope.
He expressed the determination of his administration to ensure that the saved resources in the last twenty-eight months will be channelled into achieving the stability of critical sectors of national development.
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Hauwa Abu