President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday reiterated his assurance to Nigerians, saying that the country is in good hands, and that his team was working hard to give the best of economy and opportunity to the citizens.
Tinubu reiterated this assurance while speaking at the Lagos State House in Marina, when he was hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, but quickly noted that the task was “monumental” and not a one-man job, but a collective effort, urging state and local governments to join him by focusing on agriculture and education to fight poverty and terrorism.
The President, who described his presence at the event as a great homecoming for him, while further acknowledging the current challenges and hardships in the country, however, described them as a good example of labour pain which, according to him, is necessary to birth joy and happiness.
This was just as President Tinubu took time to pay tributes to the former Ondo State Governor, Arakurin Akeredolu and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Na’Abba, who both passed on early this morning, saying value of life is seen in the goodness one does, the result of which, according to him, is a multiplier of all good things that “we must cherish, not for us, but for our children and grand-children.”
“It’s a great homecoming for me and I am happy. This presidency is not a one man job, it’s a collective team, you have to be able to listen, decipher, tolerate and sometimes what you don’t expect will happen, just as Akeredolu and Na’Abba’s matter came up as I was preparing today.
“However, we see the value of life in the goodness we do, the result of which is a multiplier of all good things that we must cherish, not for us, but for our children and grand-children.
“Nigeria is challenged, which has always been, but we will go through it. We are already seeing the blossomness of our plans. A lot of changes that will transform this economy, and financial re-engineering of our country is ongoing.
“But my team is working and we are determined to take Nigeria through the tunnel of hope, stability and successful economic prosperity,” he said.
“Nigeria is in good hands and my team is working. We have to take the baby steps so we don’t break bones or get bruises, but I am sure the results will manifest for the goodness of our country.
“We recognise the hardship that people are going through, it’s a very good example of labour pain when mothers go through very excruciating pains. But they soon forget this when they hear the noise of the baby and they cherish the smile forever. That is what Nigeria will be, I assure you. We will work hard to give you the best of economy and opportunities you can imagine,” he added.
Responding to requests from attendees at the event, especially the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, President Tinubu promised that his administration would not abandon the nation’s cultural values, but give value to her traditional institutions.
“We will not abandon our cultural values, but give value to our traditional institutions,” the president promised.
On the issue of Local Council Development Authorities (LCDAs) now created in different states, Tinubu said it remained a constitutional matter and should be left for the National Assembly to approve to.
“And to Local government and LCDA, I have heard you bottom up, so, we are in it together, but we have to run an inclusive government. The constitutional requirements we have to hang it on the National Assembly,” he said.
Tinubu lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat and the Speaker, Lagos State of House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, for holding forth strongly and committing themselves to the values that “we cherish together,” saying that such result-oriented approach had made Lagos the most viable in the country, notwithstanding the challenges faced.
“Let me say to the Governor, I listened carefully to you. I thank you and the deputy governor and the speaker for holding forth strongly and committing yourselves to the value that you cherish together.
“The result oriented approach in a team work to turn the ship around from cascading onto turbulent and make it steady
“Lagos was not easy for many of you, but you went through it and today, Lagos State is the most viable state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We went through the abuse for the initial, what are they doing? They cannot even clearly refuse, when we came in, but Lagos has survived and will continue on the path of glory,” the President said.
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