President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to keep a positive attitude towards the country and its future. Tinubu emphasized that optimism about the country will ultimately lead to success.
The President made this call in his speech at the launch of the 3,112 housing units under the Renewed Hope Cites initiative in the Federal Capital Territory.
Tinubu, who made his first public appearance after returning from a two-week private visit to Paris, said the citizens must learn to speak well of the country and remain hopeful in the face of daunting challenges.
The president’s remarks come amid a series of issues plaguing the country, ranging from severe economic hardship, inflation, rising cases of kidnapping-for-ransom, and a depreciating local currency.
Recall that on Monday and Tuesday, angry youths and women took to the streets of Minna, the Niger State capital, and Kano to protest what they described as the soaring cost of living in the country. Similar protests also broke out in Ondo State, Nigeria’s southwest. In Niger, a group of women reportedly blocked the busy Minna-Bida Road at the famous Kpakungu Roundabout and demanded that the Tinubu administration address the problem of ‘hunger in the land.’ The mob resisted attempts to disperse the protest by security operatives who fired tear gas canisters into the crowd and arrested some.
But Tinubu in his keynote speech on Thursday, encouraged Nigerians not to look back but forward, because they have a country that truly cares for them.
He also pledged his commitment to the country’s economic prosperity and development.
He said, “Here again, let’s talk to Nigerians. Let’s talk to ourselves and say everything positive about our country. Don’t think of your country negatively. Before I left home this morning, I asked for the national pledge of our country. And we have to relaunch it and ensure we are committed to the value, the greatness, the hope of our country. “It is our country. You pledge to Nigeria, your country, my country to be faithful loyal, and honest. To serve Nigeria with all your strength.
“You saw it on the field of play with the Super Eagles yesterday. We were all rejoicing. Every one of us loves victory. We love to win. When you are positive and you are hopeful, Nigeria is winning.
“We didn’t say it will be smooth all the way through. But we are confident that this country will excel in all aspects. We will defend our unity and uphold our honor and glory in every way possible. Because we are Nigerians and we have no other country.” He added, “Nigerians, don’t look back, look forward. Be hopeful. Be assured that you have a country that cares about you and you must care about the country.”
Furthermore, President Tinubu stressed the importance of shelter to man, describing it as a fundamental right and the duty of the government to its citizens.
He also praised the Housing Ministry for its efforts towards achieving the Renewed Hope mandate for housing and urban development.
The president also applauded the Housing Ministry for taking the initiative to involve the private sector through PPP arrangements, highlighting the immense role the private sector can play in helping to achieve the future that Nigerians can be proud of.
He said, “It is a great honour for me to make this historic groundbreaking here today. I have listened carefully to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development on the housing plans to propel the engine of growth, stability, and economic resurgence of Nigeria.
