Acknowledging the formidable challenges and hardships confronted by citizens during his seven-month tenure, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his New Year address, encouraged Nigerians to persevere despite the difficult times.
Tinubu assured them that his administration is diligently working to fulfill the promises outlined in his ‘Renewed Hope’ mandate.
During his third national broadcast, Tinubu expressed optimism, stating that the groundwork for the nation’s economic recovery plans has been laid in the past seven months.
Tinubu emphasized that the government is now ready to expedite the pace of service delivery across various sectors.
“Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe.
One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy, which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades.
Another was the removal of the chokehold of a few people on our foreign exchange system that benefited only the rich and the most powerful among us. Without doubt, these two decisions brought some discomfort to individuals, families and businesses.
“I am well aware that for some time now the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation, which is now above 28 percent, and the unacceptable high underemployment rate. From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families.
“Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough; however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this New Year 2024, each and everyone of us will commit to be better citizens.” Tinubu said.
“My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without steady electricity supply. In 2024, we are moving a step further in our quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery, and the Dangote Refinery which shall fully come on stream.
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“To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, we will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops. We launched the dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme.
“In my 2024 budget presentation to the National Assembly, I listed my administration’s eight priority areas to include national defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction and social security. Because we take our development agenda very seriously, our 2024 budget reflects the premium we placed on achieving our governance objectives.”
Tinubu concluded the broadcast by urging all Nigerians, particularly political opponents from the recent election, to collaborate for the peace, progress, and stability of the nation. “The election is over; it’s time for us to unite and work for the well-being of our country,” he implored.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on the Federal Government to address the economic hardships faced by Nigerians in 2024. In his New Year message released on Sunday, Atiku expressed gratitude to God and acknowledged the challenges of the past year, emphasizing the need for crucial lessons to shape the future.
Atiku highlighted the escalating costs of essential commodities, economic malfunction, and the deteriorating national and community security as pressing challenges. Criticizing the government’s policy approaches, he asserted that many families and businesses are already experiencing the severity of the current hardships, suggesting alternative pathways that could have been taken with a more astute government.
Advocating for a well-thought vision in national planning that prioritizes the common people, Atiku emphasized the need for the government to lead the way in addressing the acute hardships faced by Nigerians in 2024. He called for clear policy projections and advised against the prevailing tendency of navigating uncertainly.