30 May 2023

Nigeria’s new president  Mr Bola Tinubu has promised to strive for bettering the lives of the well over 200 million Nigerians.

In his maiden speech as Nigeria’s 16th president on Monday, he undertook to continue with the construction of national road, rail and port networks.

Mr Tinubu commended the outgoing administration’s decision to phase out the petrol subsidy regime which he said favoured the rich.

His administration, he said would rather re-channel the funds into public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that would turn around the lives of millions.

On foreign policy, Mr Tinubu expressed concern over the crisis in Sudan and dissipating democracy in several nations around Nigeria, which he said called for intervention to bring about peace and stability.

“We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and resolve new ones,’’ he promised.

President Tinubu said an era beckoned for Nigerians to unite and never to allow the labour of those who came before them to wither.

“Today, let us recommit our very selves to placing Nigeria in our hearts as the indispensable home for every one of us regardless of creed, ethnicity or place of birth. 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 colouration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians,” he said.

  Mr Tinubu described his inauguration day as bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit. 

“As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed nation hope,” he said, much to the appreciation of compatriots and well-wishers alike.

Among the multitudes who attended the ceremony held at Abuja’s Eagle Square were President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and First Lady Neo. Ends