President Bola Tinubu says the last 12 months of his administration have been “fulfilling”, despite some challenges.
Speaking on Friday when he received a delegation of the Yoruba leaders of thought at the state house in Abuja, Tinubu said his administration will do all it takes for the average Nigerian to feel the impact of governance.
The president added that the country is no longer “bleeding”, but moving into prosperity.
“It has been challenging. It has been fulfilling as well. We took over, and we have stopped the bleeding. I can say categorically now that Nigeria is no longer bleeding. And it will not bleed to death, but rather will now move to prosperity,” the president said.
“That is the promise that I made to you all, and it is also the charge that you gave to me. We are managing to swim through the pond. The current is not a good one. We will turn the tide. We are turning the bend. This I assure you. I am being very careful. The worst is over for Nigeria. We will prevail.
“I thank the team who have been working really hard. All I can promise is that we will do whatever it takes. We are determined, and we will work so that all Nigerians can feel the impact of good governance.”
Tinubu said governance must be transformative and must address the critical needs of citizens.
The president expressed worry over the state of the LGAs in the country while calling for an effective system that fosters community development within a strengthened federal structure.
“Healthcare upgradation is ongoing. Road rehabilitation and construction is ongoing. Education development is ongoing. I am charging you to look at what is going on in the states. Pay attention to your state governors. Tell them to take their responsibilities seriously and make the people the focus of their development plans,” Tinubu said.
“Once there is synergy, then I can assure you that Nigeria will be one of the best nations that you will see anywhere on earth.
“Local government administration is being suffocated. People are looking at the opportunity to ensure that they survive and become more purposeful through community development programmes. What I will not support is any effort to make the local government a unitary system by handing all core responsibilities to the federal government. That is criminal when there is a federal system.
“I can tell you that Nigeria is no longer printing paper money and deceiving itself that it has a base for survival. Nigeria went through terrible labour pains, but we have seen the baby coming out alive.”
