Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has urged fellow Nigerians to remain focused and optimistic in the pursuit of goals and aspirations in the new year.

This was contained in his 2025 New Year Message, which he vented in his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Wednesday.

According to Jonathan, Nigerians should “approach the year with faith and optimism and continue to demonstrate the spirit of resilience and courage in the pursuit of goals and national aspirations.”

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He wrote, “Fellow Compatriots,

“It is with gratitude to God that I welcome you to this New Year, 2025.

“This year holds great prospects for us all, both  as individuals and collectively as a country, despite the challenges we face.

“Let us approach the year with faith and optimism and continue to demonstrate the spirit of resilience and courage in the pursuit of goals and national aspirations.

“Last year was challenging in many ways but our shared  commitment and determination made us triumph over the many trials that we faced both as individuals and as nation.

“These experiences provide lessons that can serve as inspiration towards a better and prosperous future for us all this New Year.

“This year, let us commit to diligence, sincerity and pursue justice and peace every day and everywhere.

“Let our conduct be defined by love,  sacrifice, peace, and unity.

“May we succeed and prosper in all spheres. Happy New Year. – GEJ”

Fellow Nigerians,

As we enter 2025, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. May you be rich in joy, success, and good health.

As the new year dawns, it brings many hopes, aspirations, and prospects for better days. By the grace of God, 2025 will be a year of great promise in which we will fulfill our collective desires.

Though 2024 posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households, I am confident that the New Year will bring brighter days.

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Economic indicators point to a positive and encouraging outlook for our nation. Fuel prices have gradually decreased, and we recorded foreign trade surpluses in three consecutive quarters. Foreign reserves have risen, and the Naira has strengthened against the US dollar, bringing greater stability.

The stock market’s record growth has generated trillions of naira in wealth, and the surge in foreign investment reflects renewed confidence in our economy. Nevertheless, the cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households in 2024.

In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

The Company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.

This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth. It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people.

On a personal note, thank you for placing your confidence in me as your president. Your trust humbles me, and I promise to continue serving you diligently and wholeheartedly.

We will continue to embark on necessary reforms to foster sustainable growth and prosperity for our nation.

I seek your cooperation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united.

We are on the right path to building a great Nigeria that will work for everyone. Let us not get distracted by a tiny segment of our population that still sees things through the prisms of politics, ethnicity, region, and religion.

CITIZENSHIP

To achieve our national goals and objectives, we must become better citizens and uncompromising in our devotion and allegiance to Nigeria.

Citizens’ moral rectitude and faith in our country are fundamental to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In 2025, we will commit to promoting adherence to ethical principles, shared values, and beliefs under the National Identity Project.

I will unveil the National Values Charter, already approved by the Federal Executive Council, in the first quarter of 2025. I will launch an ambitious national orientation campaign that fosters patriotism and love for our country and inspires citizens to rally together. The Charter will promote mutual commitments between the government and citizens and foster trust and cooperation among our diverse population and between the government and the citizens.

As far-reaching and foundational as our reforms are, they can produce the desired outcomes only through shared common values and identities and unconditional love for our country.

The Youth Confab will begin in the first quarter of 2025, a testament to our commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders. The Ministry of Youth will soon announce the modalities for selecting the conference’s representatives from our diverse, youthful population.

Dear Compatriots, I urge you to continue believing in yourselves and keeping faith in our blessed country.

Let me use this New Year’s message to urge our governors and local council chairpersons to work closely with the central government to seize emerging opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and tax reforms and move our nation forward. I commend governors who have embraced our Compressed Natural Gas initiative by launching CNG-propelled public transport. I also congratulate those who have adopted electric vehicles as part of our national energy mix and transition. The Federal Government will always offer necessary assistance to the states.

To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain over the past 19 months. I assure you they will not be in vain even in the months ahead. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building.

The New Year will bring us closer to the bright future we all desire and the Nigeria of our dreams.

God bless you all, and may God bless our beloved country, Nigeria.

Happy New Year and a prosperous 2025 to you all!

Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

January 1, 2025

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has assured the citizenry that the newly signed budget 2025 will be rigorously implemented for the benefit of Osun people.

According to a statement in Osogbo on Tuesday, Gov Adeleke made the pledge while signing Budget 2025 into law, emphasizing that the signing ceremony “further demonstrates our readiness to forge ahead in the new year with the growth and development of our dear State”

The state governor who said the budget, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Transformation” is the total sum of Four Hundred and Twenty-Seven Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy Naira (₦427,746,925.170.00)”

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Gov Adeleke directed Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MAD) to vigorously pursue the implementation for the benefit of the citizens of the state, stating that “Our budget performance must continue to be commendable on a quarterly basis.

“I further direct the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development to as usual monitor the implementation process for delivery according to targets and expectations”, he stated.

He assured Osun people that the budget will be rigorously implemented to deliver on public expectations, adding that “The Appropriation Act will be our faithful instrument to deliver on the five-point agenda for good governance.

He commended the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development for upholding professionalism all the way even as he appreciated the House Speaker and other members of the State Assembly.

“The Executive arm looks towards oversight activities by the lawmakers. I urge members of the State Executive Council to cooperate with the lawmakers in the exercise of their mandate during the 2025 budgetary year”, he noted.

Speaking earlier, the House Speaker, Right Honourable Adewale Egbedun said the signing ceremony was the final stage of rigorous processing of budgetary estimates with an eye on public benefits.

According to the House Speaker, the budget as passed by the House embodied the vision and agenda of the executive mixed with perspectives of the legislature as the elected representatives of the people.

The Commissioner for Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Prof Moruf Adeleke gave a technical breakdown of the 2025 budget, assuring the public that all the parameters flow from the deep interest of Gov Adeleke for the people of Osun State.