By Samuel Ogude & Ejiro Nesisa
The newly sworn in President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has unveiled his plans to fast track the growth and development of the county. According to him, among other things, he said, Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law; defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of the country and its sub-regions; remodel the economy to bring about growth and development through job creation and bring about food security to end extreme poverty.
His Excellency Bola Tinubu said, he would take proactive steps to champion a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies; make security as top priority of his administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence; target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment by creating meaningful opportunities for the youth; honour his campaign with the commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy, among others.
According to the President, as a nation, Nigerians have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope saying, the nation’s journey has been directed by prayers and sacrifices of millions of Nigerians. He added that, Nigerians have endured hardships that could crumble other counties of the world but by the grace of God, the country progressed .
He said:”We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble. Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this sublime moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future. To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed”.
The President said, the peaceful transition from one government to another is now Nigerians’ political tradition as the handover of the day symbolizes Nigerians’ trust in God and enduring faith in representative governance and the belief in the ability to reshape this nation into the society as it was always meant to be. He said, Nigerians’ burdens may make them suffer but they shall overcome and stand as Africa’s most populous nation with hope and will ever remain champions of the black race.
He said, despite the tough situation Nigeria passed through, its resilience and diversity have kept Nigerians to forge ahead adding, for many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that Nigeria will break apart, even perish but today it has remained united as a people.
He said:” Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip. We lift high this torch so that, it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never extinguish”
The President said, his administration shall govern Nigerians but never rule over them just as he said, his administration would always consult and dialogue but never dictate adding, he would reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to his as he was elected to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it.
On his victory in the election, he said, It was a hard fought contest but he won fairly saying, since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality adding that, the outcome of the election reflected the will of the people. He however said, his victory does not render him any more Nigerian than his opponents nor make them less patriotic.
He said:”In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality. on his victory in the election, It was a hard fought contest ad was he won fairly . Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality saying, the outcome reflected the will of the people adding however, his victory does not render him any more Nigerian than his opponents nor make them less patriotic”.
He said, they shall forever be his fellow compatriots saying, he would treat them as such adding, they represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore. He charged Nigerians to recommit themselves to place Nigeria in their hearts as the indispensable home for each and every person irrespective of creed, ethnicity, or place of birth.
While thanking the Former President, President Muhammadu Buhari for being an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation and wished him the best in his endeavours, he expressed gratitude to his supporters who voted for him just as he extends hands of fellowship across the political divide.
He said:”My supporters, I thank you. To those who voted otherwise, I extend my hand across the political divide. I ask you to grasp it in national affinity and brotherhood. For me, political coloration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians. May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal”. The President therefore urged Nigerians to join him in making Nigeria a more perfect nation to enable him deliver the dividends of democracy to them.