- President Tinubu urged Nigerians to change their mindset and value system to address poverty and economic challenges effectively
- He emphasized the need to stop economic sabotage, such as smuggling and theft, to propel the nation forward
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to change their mindset about the country. Speaking in Lagos while receiving a National Assembly delegation during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the president emphasized the need for a value system shift to propel the nation forward.
He condemned sabotage, such as stealing electric cables and removing rail tracks, and acknowledged the hardships faced by citizens. “Yes, there is poverty; there is suffering in the land. We are not the only people facing such challenges, but we must address them,” Tinubu stated.
The delegation was led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and included Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Honourable Benjamin Kalu, among others.
The president highlighted the necessity of sound economic policies, even during tough times. “Good economics at a harsh time is the challenge we must face. No matter how difficult it is, I will not turn my back on Nigeria,” he asserted.
Tinubu stressed the importance of shifting away from a rent-seeking mindset to a more productive one. He urged citizens to cease economic sabotage, including smuggling and theft. “We must embrace the campaign to change our value system. The challenges we face require changing our mindset about our country,” he said.
The president commended the National Assembly’s leadership for their support, facilitating significant developments in his administration. “It is a great pride for me to have the best partners in the National Assembly. We must be all-inclusive in our bid to satisfy our people. It is daunting, but we cannot avoid the fact that this country must survive the hardship,” he stated.
Acknowledging the nation’s challenges, Tinubu assured citizens of his commitment to improving the situation. He emphasized the need to eliminate banditry and terrorism to allow farmers to bring their produce to market. “If you do not have good roads to bring the food to the population, even if you grow the food, you will lose 60-70 percent to damages,” he noted.
After the meeting, Akpabio told journalists that the delegation visited to pay homage to and congratulate the president on Eid-el-Kabir and commend his leadership during his first year in office. Akpabio said the National Assembly plans to amend existing laws to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.