Connect with us

Politics

Full Speech Of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Inauguration Ceremony

Published

on

FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU 29 MAY 2023

THE NIGERIAN IDEAL

My Fellow Citizens,

I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people, unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty, absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity.

 

This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation.

 

As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.

 

The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.

 

For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.

 

This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.

 

We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.

 

Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.

 

To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.

 

The peaceful transition from one government to another is now our political tradition. This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.

 

Here, permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari Mr President, you have been an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation you love. On a more personal note, you are a worthy partner and friend. May History be kind to you.

 

For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish.

 

Yet here we are. We have stumbled at times, but our resilience and diversity have kept us going.

 

Our burdens may make us bend at times, but they shall never break us.

 

Instead, we stand forth as Africa’s most populous nation and as the best hope and strongest champion of the Black Race.

 

As citizens, we declare as one unified people devoted to one unified national cause, that as long as this world exists, NIGERIA SHALL EXIST.

 

Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip.

 

We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never EXTINGUISH.

 

Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.

 

We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it.

 

In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality.

 

The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic.

 

They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore.

 

They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law.

 

Over six decades ago, our founding fathers gave bravely of themselves to place Nigeria on the map as an independent nation.

 

We must never allow the labor of those who came before us to wither in vain but to blossom and bring forth a better reality.

Let us take the next great step in the journey they began and believed in.

 

Today, let us recommit our very selves to placing Nigeria in our hearts as the indispensable home for each and 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 coloration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians.

 

May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal.

My fellow compatriots,

 

The Nigerian ideal which I speak of is more than just an improvement in economic and other statistics. These things are important; but they can never convey the fullness of our story.

 

Our mission is to improve our way of life in a manner that nurtures our humanity, encourages compassion toward one another, and duly rewards our collective effort to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.

 

Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.

 

The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.

 

Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.

 

In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme. Today, permit me to outline in broad terms a few initiatives that define our concept of progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal:

 

The principles that will guide our administration are simple:

 

1. Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law.

 

2. We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our subregion.

 

3. We shall remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.

 

4. In our administration, Women and youth will feature prominently.

 

5. Our government will continue to take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.

 

SECURITY

Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

 

To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE.

 

We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower.

 

THE ECONOMY

On the economy, we target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment.

 

We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps:

 

First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted.

 

Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.

 

Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.

 

I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.

 

We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home.

 

JOBS

My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.

 

Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.

 

AGRICULTURE

Rural incomes shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products. A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken.

 

Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.

 

Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention.

 

FUEL SUBSIDY

We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.

 

MONETARY POLICY

Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning. The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.

 

Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.

 

Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.

 

FOREIGN POLICY

Given the world in which we reside, please permit a few comments regarding foreign policy.

 

The crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in our immediate neighbourhood are of pressing concern.

 

As such, my primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African subregion and the African continent. We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.

 

As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity.

 

CONCLUSION

 

This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria.

 

On this day, Nigeria affirms its rightful place among the world’s great democracies. There, Nigeria shall reside forever.

 

The course of our past and the promise of the future have brought us to this exceptional moment.

 

In this spirit, I ask you to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality.

 

With full confidence in our ability, I declare that these things are within our proximate reach because my name is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

May God bless you and May He bless our beloved land.

 

Politics

US Election: Cardi B Expresses Nerves

Published

on

Grammy-winning rapper, Cardi B has shared her intense feelings about the upcoming U.S. presidential election, admitting that her nerves are so high she feels as though she’s running for president herself.

With the election only a day away, Cardi B took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express her anticipation, telling her 36 million followers, “I don’t know why I’m so nervous for tomorrow. I feel like I’m running for president.”

The Bronx-born rapper and cultural icon recently made headlines for her passionate endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s candidate, at a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Friday. Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Cardi B gave a rousing speech, highlighting her concerns about the Republican Party’s candidate, former President Donald Trump. She criticized Trump’s stance on women’s rights, calling him “a hustler who is trying to hustle women out of their rights and hustle Americans out of their money.”

READ MORE: Tragic Building Collapse In R/State Leaves One Dead, Several Injured

The rapper, known for her outspoken political views, did not hold back, asserting that Trump is “selling more than watches and sneakers” and accusing him of promoting “bigotry, misogyny, division, chaos, and confusion.” Her words resonated with supporters, many of whom see Cardi B as a voice for younger voters who care about issues like women’s rights, racial equality, and social justice.

Addressing rumors circulating online, Cardi B also clarified that she was not paid to endorse Harris, dispelling speculation that financial incentives were behind her appearance at the rally. “I did this because I believe in the future that Kamala Harris stands for, not for any money,” she tweeted.

Cardi B has been vocal about her political stance throughout the election season, using her platform to encourage her fans to vote and make their voices heard. Her support for Harris has added significant star power to the Democratic campaign, especially among younger and minority voters. As the election approaches, her rally speech and social media statements have brought renewed attention to the high-stakes issues on the ballot.

With her passionate stance, Cardi B has become one of the most influential celebrity advocates in this election cycle, drawing both praise and criticism. As Americans prepare to vote, her message continues to reverberate across social media and beyond, emphasizing the rapper’s commitment to political engagement and advocacy for her beliefs.

Continue Reading

Politics

Nigeria’s Debt Service Ratio Falls To 65% As Tinubu Tackles Economic Woes

Published

on

In an effort to reduce Nigeria’s debt burden and stabilize the economy, President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that the country’s debt service-to-revenue ratio has fallen from 97 to 65 percent over the 17 months since he took office.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for seven new ministers at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the government’s progress in stabilizing the economy despite challenging conditions.

READ MORE: Ibadan Man On Why He Used 76 Women For Ritual, Ate Others

“For us, it was a challenge when the nation was servicing its debt with 97 percent of its revenue. It was nothing but the edge of the cliff,” Tinubu said.

“But today, I can report to you that we have brought that down to 65 percent, and we have never defaulted in meeting all obligations, both foreign and domestic.”

His remarks follow Afreximbank’s recent projection that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio could reach 110.4 percent by 2024.

Afreximbank’s 2024 Nigeria Country Brief warned of a troubling upward trend in debt servicing, which could see the ratio surge from 33.8 percent in 2017 to a projected 110.4 percent next year.

However, with continued reforms, the report suggested the ratio might decline to 62.6 percent by 2025.

In the first nine months of 2023, debt servicing consumed 66.9 percent (₦5.79 trillion) of Nigeria’s total revenue, a slight improvement from 99.3 percent (₦4.23 trillion) during the same period in 2022.

Tinubu, while optimistic about economic recovery, acknowledged the ongoing struggles faced by Nigerians due to a sharp increase in the cost of living triggered by recent economic reforms.

“We have taken the bull by the horns,” the President asserted. “We have stopped the scavengers. We will fully put an end to the profiteers and smugglers of our resources across the country. We are not shirking our responsibility; we are confronting it head-on.”

He further expressed confidence that Nigeria was on a “good path” toward recovery, emphasizing that the government remains committed to re-engineering the economy.

He cited the introduction of a new minimum wage as one measure aimed at mitigating rising living costs.

Monday’s ceremony also saw the swearing-in of seven new ministers, part of a recent cabinet reshuffle.

In two batches, ministers including Idi Maiha (Livestock Development) and Dr Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade, and Investment) took their oaths.

The reshuffle, which saw 10 ministers reassigned, five discharged, and seven new appointments confirmed by the Senate, reflects Tinubu’s stated commitment to reshaping his cabinet to meet Nigeria’s evolving challenges.

As the administration continues to implement reforms, President Tinubu emphasized a long-term vision for economic sustainability, not only for the current generation but also for future ones.

“Despite the challenges, we must undertake the job of re-engineering and retooling this country’s economic path,” he said.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Edo Deputy Gov, Omobayo Ordered To Court Over Refusal To Vacate Office

Published

on

A Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated that Godwins Omobayo, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, appear in person on November 26, 2024, following allegations of contempt of court stemming from his failure to comply with a previous ruling.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Monday, asserting that Omobayo, described as the alleged contemnor, must be afforded a fair hearing in accordance with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

READ MORE: Bobrisky Flees Nigeria Amid Legal Turmoil

The court action was initiated by Philip Shaibu, who was reinstated as Deputy Governor after the court invalidated his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly on July 17.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the impeachment proceedings lacked due process and that the grounds for Shaibu’s removal did not constitute gross misconduct.

Shaibu’s suit targets several parties, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Edo State House of Assembly, seeking enforcement of the court’s judgment and demanding that Omobayo vacate the deputy governorship position.

Omobayo assumed office on April 8, following Shaibu’s impeachment.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Omobayo was served legal documents but failed to appear.

In response, Shaibu’s attorney, Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, urged the court to compel Omobayo’s attendance, citing the need to uphold judicial authority.

In delivering his ruling, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until November 26 for further proceedings.

He directed that hearing notices be served to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th defendants involved in the charge.

“In the interest of justice and to provide the alleged contemnor with an opportunity to defend himself and receive a fair hearing, in accordance with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I hereby order that the alleged contemnor appear in court in person on November 26, 2024,” the judge stated.

It is noteworthy that the current tenure of the state government is set to conclude on November 12.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.