By Aaior K. Comfort
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians to exercise patience as his administration works to tackle the country’s economic challenges. In a national broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary on Tuesday, Tinubu acknowledged the hardships many citizens face, including rising living costs and difficulties in finding meaningful employment.
Despite these struggles, Tinubu assured the public that their concerns are being addressed and that sustainable solutions are being implemented to alleviate their suffering. He recognized the frustration and hardship many are enduring but asked for understanding, stating that the reforms underway are beginning to show positive signs.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey since independence, Tinubu emphasized the vision of the nation’s founding fathers, who chose democracy as a guiding principle 64 years ago. He noted that Nigeria has made significant progress, with its intellectual capacity, enterprise, and industries gaining global recognition.
“Fellow Nigerians, as I address you today, I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times,” Tinubu stated. “Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising living costs and the search for meaningful employment. I want to assure you that your voices are heard.”
He added, “As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.”
Reflecting on the nation’s founding ideals, Tinubu remarked, “Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment—a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world.”
He concluded, “Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realizing the lofty dreams of our founding fathers. The world is witnessing and benefiting from the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people, our massive intellectual capacity, and our enterprise and industry in all vocations, from arts to science, technology to infrastructure. The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it.”