President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerians to give his administration more time to complete its reforms and programmes.
Tinubu made the appeal on Friday during a special Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque in Abuja. The prayer formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. Represented by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Tinubu urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s future.
Abbas delivered the President’s message to citizens at the event. He said,
“Nigeria has become mature, even though when we reflect on the journey from independence to date, we may say it was a mixed journey.”
He added,
“Nigeria was bedevilled with a lot of issues in the past and opportunities as well. But we thank Almighty Allah for granting us the life and the peace for us to witness this very historic event today.”
The President also assured Nigerians that the country would experience better days.
“My message to the country on behalf of the Mr President, the Senate President and all members of the National Assembly is that the citizens should not lose hope,” Abbas said.
“Peace is coming back to this country. Development is coming back to this country. Things will get better as we progress in this democracy.”
He said the government was addressing longstanding challenges. Tinubu further urged citizens to focus on the direction of his administration.
“The mistakes of the past—the cumulative mistakes and the missed opportunities of the past—are being corrected in this particular administration,” he said.
He added,
“And I want to categorically make it clear that Nigeria is on the right path; that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that Nigerians have finished making sacrifices for this country to be great again.”
He then appealed,
“We should give this government more opportunity for it to come back and finish the good work.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is keeping the 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations low-key. Religious and civic activities have been scheduled ahead of October 1.
