President Bola Tinubu mentioned on Friday he was not in workplace for private acquire however to serve the nation.
He argued that his administration is concentrated on delivering tangible outcomes and making a constructive distinction within the nation’s infrastructure, meals and vitality safety, training and long-term financial stability.
“I didn’t come to search for cash and exploit the scenario; I got here to work. I requested for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me,” mentioned Tinubu at a gathering with the Discussion board of Former Presiding Officers of the Nationwide Meeting, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, on the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Particular Adviser to the President on Info and Technique, Bayo Onanuga, revealed particulars of Friday’s talks in an announcement titled, ‘I didn’t come to search for cash, I got here to work’, President Tinubu tells discussion board of former NASS presiding officers.’
16 former presiding officers attended the assembly. They embody former senate presidents, former audio system of the Home of Representatives, former deputy senate presidents, and former deputy audio system of the Home of Representatives.
The President acknowledged the assist and encouragement from the Discussion board members, regardless of get together affiliations, imploring them to proceed fostering unity and camaraderie to attain nationwide growth targets.
He highlighted the advanced nature of legislative actions, constitutional critiques, and nation-building processes, expressing confidence that Nigeria can progress by way of collaboration and inclusiveness.
“No matter get together variations of the previous and issue of the current, you continue to imagine in me and what all of us plan for this nation. I thanks very a lot; nobody will do it higher than us. I’ve travelled the world and seen how developed international locations have achieved it for themselves by way of collaboration, inclusiveness, and monetary construction.
“Sure, there may be hardship, however how did we get right here? What did we do after we had very excessive crude manufacturing? We uncared for our communities; we uncared for the goose that lays the golden eggs; we forgot even to present them a very good way of life.
“We forgot to coach our youngsters. Go round and have a look at the dilapidated faculties. The training surroundings should be first rate sufficient for pupils to need to study. We will complain from now until eternity that the college enrolment is low. However did we do something to encourage the enrolment course of? We should ask ourselves as a result of it’s a matter of conscience,” he mentioned.
The President outlined his administration’s concentrate on addressing these challenges, together with enhancing infrastructure, making certain compliance with monetary laws, exploring different vitality sources and offering vitality safety.
“We’ve come a great distance, and I promise we should do our greatest,” he mentioned.
He urged the previous presiding officers to proceed sharing their wealth of expertise in nation-building and governance, noting that they had been uniquely positioned to supply “clear interpretations of the place we’re” to Nigerians.
Senator Nnamani, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, expressed full assist for President Tinubu’s administration and its efforts to deal with Nigeria’s urgent challenges.
He congratulated the President, noting that the assembly was the president’s first official engagement with the group since his assumption of workplace.
“Mr President, historical past has by no means been the burden of 1 man alone, however some are referred to as to fulfill a particular share of its challenges. Although not of your creation, it has fallen onto you to finish the pervasive insecurity throughout the nation, the financial downturn that has resulted in starvation and anger, infrastructural decay resulting from years of neglect, and myriads of different nationwide challenges.
“As troublesome as these issues are, we imagine that together with your expertise, you may face the difficulties and surmount them. What provides us extra hope is the braveness with which you dealt with the difficulty of native authorities autonomy, which has gained you open admiration from mates and foes alike.
“We’re satisfied that you’ll dig in deeper once more to eradicate these issues and restore Nigerian pleasure of place among the many comity of countries,” the previous senate helmsman mentioned.
He added that the group has seen what elite complacency has induced nations and has resolved to unite throughout all divides to render no matter help it could be referred to as upon to contribute to nation-building and making certain enduring prosperity for our residents.
Nnamani defined, “It’s on this mild and within the nationwide curiosity that we want to pledge our assist as you’re employed to revive nationwide safety, construct an financial system that works for all and strengthen the bond of unity amongst our disparate peoples.”
He additionally counseled Tinubu for his belief in appointing a few of their members to vital nationwide positions, recognising their important position in nation-building.