President Bola Tinubu has vowed to not enable people with egocentric political agenda to destroy Nigeria underneath any guise.
The president expressed deep concern over the nationwide starvation protests, which have resulted within the lack of life and property in numerous elements of the nation.
In a nationwide broadcast this morning, Tinubu acknowledged the protesters’ grievances and referred to as for the quick suspension of additional demonstrations.
He significantly famous that most of the protesters have been younger Nigerians aspiring for a greater and extra progressive nation.
The president lamented the lack of lives in states similar to Borno, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna, in addition to the destruction of public services and looting of companies.
He emphasised that such destruction units the nation again, as scarce sources will now be diverted to restoration efforts.
Nevertheless, the president additionally burdened the necessity for public order and the safety of life and property.
Tinubu referred to as on protesters and organisers to droop additional demonstrations to create room for dialogue, which he claimed to have at all times been open to saying, “I’ve heard you loud and clear. I perceive the ache and frustration that drive these protests, and I need to guarantee you that our authorities is dedicated to listening and addressing the considerations of our residents.”
Tinubu instantly addressed the protesters, stating, “As president of this nation, I have to guarantee public order. Consistent with my constitutional oath to guard the lives and property of each citizen, our authorities won’t stand idly by and permit a number of with a transparent political agenda to tear this nation aside.
“Underneath the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to droop any additional protest and create room for dialogue, which I’ve at all times acceded to on the slightest alternative.
“Nigeria requires all arms on deck and wishes us all – no matter age, celebration, tribe, faith or different divides, to work collectively in reshaping our future as a nation.
“To those that have taken undue benefit of this case to threaten any part of this nation, be warned: The legislation will meet up with you. There isn’t a place for ethnic bigotry or such threats within the Nigeria we search to construct.
“Our democracy progresses when the constitutional rights of each Nigerian are revered and guarded. Our legislation enforcement companies ought to proceed to make sure the total safety of lives and properties of harmless residents in a accountable method.
“My imaginative and prescient for our nation is one in all a simply and affluent nation the place every individual might benefit from the peace, freedom, and significant livelihood that solely democratic good governance can present – one that’s open, clear and accountable to the Nigerian folks.
Within the deal with, Tinubu outlined numerous financial measures and initiatives his administration has undertaken up to now 14 months.
These embrace efforts to extend authorities revenues, scale back debt service, clear international trade obligations, and spend money on main infrastructure tasks.
He stated, “For many years, our economic system has remained anaemic and brought a dip due to many misalignments which have stunted our progress.
“Simply over a yr in the past, our expensive nation, Nigeria, reached a degree the place we couldn’t afford to proceed using momentary options to unravel long-term issues for the sake of now and our unborn generations.
“I subsequently took the painful but crucial choice to take away gas subsidies and abolish a number of international trade methods which had constituted a noose across the financial jugular of our Nation and impeded our financial growth and progress.
“These actions blocked the greed and the earnings that smugglers and rent-seekers made. Additionally they blocked the undue subsidies we had prolonged to our neighbouring international locations to the detriment of our folks, rendering our economic system prostrate.
“These selections I made have been crucial if we should reverse the many years of financial mismanagement that didn’t serve us nicely. Sure, I agree, the buck stops on my desk. However I can guarantee you that I’m centered totally on delivering the governance to the folks – good governance for that matter.
“Prior to now 14 months, our authorities has made vital strides in rebuilding the muse of our economic system to hold us right into a way forward for a lot and abundance.
“On the fiscal aspect, mixture authorities revenues have greater than doubled, hitting over 9.1 trillion Naira within the first half of 2024 in comparison with the primary half of 2023 on account of our efforts at blocking leakages, introducing automation, and mobilising funding creatively with out further burden on the folks.
“Productiveness is regularly growing within the non-oil sector, reaching new ranges and making the most of the alternatives within the present financial atmosphere
“My expensive brothers and sisters, now we have come this far. Coming from a spot the place our nation spent 97% of all our income on debt service; now we have been in a position to scale back that to 68% within the final 13 months.
“We’ve got additionally cleared professional excellent international trade obligations of about $5billion with none antagonistic impression on our programmes.
“This has given us extra monetary freedom and the room to spend more cash on you, our residents, to fund important social providers like schooling and healthcare.
“It has additionally led to our State, and Native Governments receiving the very best allocations ever in our nation’s historical past from the Federation Account.
Tinubu highlighted a number of financial achievements of his 14-month-old administration, together with: Doubling of presidency revenues to over N9.1 trillion within the first half of 2024, discount of debt service from 97% to 68% of income, clearance of $5 billion in international trade obligations.
“Improve in oil manufacturing to 1.61 million barrels per day and launch of main infrastructure tasks just like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Freeway,” he stated.
Tinubu additionally outlined initiatives geared toward addressing residents’ considerations, similar to:
The Compressed Pure Gasoline (CNG) Initiative to cut back transportation prices.
“A scholar mortgage scheme with N45.6 billion processed for fee, institution of a Shopper Credit score Company with over N200 billion in funding, numerous youth empowerment programmes, together with the Digital and Inventive Enterprises (IDiCE) programme.
“Distribution of grants to nano-businesses and loans to small and medium enterprises, signing of a brand new Nationwide Minimal Wage legislation, elevating the bottom wage to N70,000 per 30 days.
“Bold housing tasks throughout the nation and elimination of tariffs and import duties on important meals gadgets and medical provides for six months,” he stated.
Tinubu urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to decide on hope over worry and unity over division.
He emphasised that his administration is working laborious to enhance the lives of all residents and referred to as for persistence as the results of those insurance policies develop into seen.
The president instructed safety operatives to keep up peace whereas respecting human rights and reaffirmed his dedication to the protection and safety of all Nigerians.
He warned towards makes an attempt to derail democracy and referred to as on safety operatives to keep up peace whereas respecting human rights.
Based on him, “the duty earlier than us is a collective one, and I’m main the cost as your President. A number of work has gone into stabilising our economic system, and I have to keep centered on guaranteeing that the advantages attain each single Nigerian as promised.
“My administration is working laborious to enhance and increase our nationwide infrastructure and create extra alternatives for our younger folks.
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“Let no one misinform and miseducate you about your nation or inform you that your authorities doesn’t care about you. Though there have been many dashed hopes up to now, we’re in a brand new period of Renewed Hope.
“We’re working laborious for you, and the outcomes will quickly be seen and concrete for everybody to see, really feel, and luxuriate in.
“Allow us to work collectively to construct a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to return. Allow us to select hope over worry, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economic system is recovering; Please, don’t shut out its oxygen.
“Now that now we have been having fun with democratic governance for 25 years, don’t let the enemies of democracy use you to advertise an unconstitutional agenda that may set us again on our democratic journey. FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!
“In conclusion, safety operatives ought to proceed to keep up peace, legislation, and order in our nation following the required conventions on human rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory. The protection and safety of all Nigerians are paramount,” he added.
