Photo caption: President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to work together to place the country on the same level as other nations around the world.
In his Independence Day address on Wednesday, Tinubu said Nigeria must focus on producing more goods and not only consuming.
“Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just as the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing. In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building.
“Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes,” Tinubu said.
He admitted that his government’s reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidy, had caused hardship. But he explained that the move was necessary to avoid an economic collapse.
“Fellow Nigerians, I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with some temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government.
“However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option. Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain,” he stated.
Tinubu said his administration was building a solid foundation for the future.
“The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities.
“Let me assure you of our administration’s determination to ensure that the resources we have saved and the stability we have built are channelled into these critical areas. Today, the governors at the state level and local government autonomy are yielding more developments.
“Therefore, on this 65th Anniversary of Our Independence, my message is hope and a call to action. The federal government will continue to do its part to fix the plumbing in our economy.
“Finally, let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation. With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” the President added.
Independence Day in Nigeria is a national public holiday celebrated every October 1 to mark the country’s freedom from British rule in 1960.
It is usually observed nationwide with official ceremonies, presidential speeches, military parades, cultural displays, and public festivities. Schools, state governments, and communities also organise events to mark the day.
This year, however, the federal government cancelled the military parades.
