Tinubu Celebrates Supreme Court Verdict, Vows To Rebuild Greater Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his gratitude over the Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed his election on February 25, whilst reiterating his commitment to building a stronger, united, and more prosperous Nigeria. Tinubu welcomed the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on Thursday, which upheld the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party had filed petitions challenging the tribunal’s decision. “The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favor,” President Tinubu stated. The President praised the diligence and professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter, affirming that the verdict solidified Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy. The President’s faith in Nigeria’s judiciary remained unwavering, despite pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors. He lauded the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and defending humanity. The ruling affirmed that President Tinubu’s party, the All Progressives’ Congress, had secured the popular mandate of Nigerians, paving the way for his leadership during a transformative period in the nation’s history. Tinubu further underscored his commitment to serving all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, tribes, or faiths. The President’s renewed his Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria, saying that it has gained momentum, and pledged to work tirelessly to meet the collective aspirations of the citizens. “We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together,” he affirmed. President Tinubu urged Nigerians to unite in their diversity and direct their energy toward building a stronger and more prosperous nation. He expressed his hope that the spirit of patriotism would inspire support for his administration’s efforts to improve the living conditions of the people. Tinubu concluded by extending his gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve the country, promising to exceed their expectations in service delivery and good governance. He concluded with a prayer for the continued blessings of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The President’s statement reflects his determination to lead Nigeria into a future marked by unity, progress, and prosperity, as the country continues on its path of transformation and growth. SEE FULL STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR IT IS TIME FOR US TO BUILD OUR GREAT NATION TOGETHER I welcome the verdict of the Justice John I. Okoro-led Panel of the Supreme Court on the Presidential Election petitions filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, challenging the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The court has done justice to all issues put up for consideration in the petitions on the merits of the law, without fear or favour. There is no doubt, with the profound judgment of today, that our electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity because of the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter. While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 Presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times. Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defense of humanity. It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives’ Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation. With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people. The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens. Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations. We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country. In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress. I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

What Nigerians expect from Tinubu’s new cabinet

In a momentous ceremony that marked a significant transition for Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated a new cohort of ministers to consolidate his presidency. With the swearing-in of these individuals into their respective offices, Nigerians are now looking ahead with a mixture of hope and anticipation, more so that, this time, like his predecessor, he did not wait for almost a year to form his cabinet. No doubt, the responsibilities bestowed upon these new ministers are immense, and the citizens’ expectations on them are equally high. Even though Tinubu had inherited a myriad of challenges, ranging from a lame economy to security concerns, Nigerians are fervently hoping that this new cabinet will rise to the occasion and lead the country towards a brighter future. One of the most pressing issues on the minds of Nigerians is the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to the global economy with Nigeria getting its fair share and this has exacerbated existing challenges such as high unemployment rates and inflation. As the new ministers assume their roles, citizens are yearning for innovative economic policies that will stimulate growth and provide much-needed jobs. They expect these ministers to engage in strategic partnerships, attract foreign investments, and diversify the economy beyond oil dependency. A clear roadmap for infrastructural development, with a focus on power generation, transportation, and technological advancement, is eagerly awaited. Nigerians are hopeful that the new cabinet will foster an environment that supports small and medium-sized businesses, driving entrepreneurship and creating a sustainable economic ecosystem. Another paramount concern is security. In recent years, Nigeria has faced an upsurge in security challenges, from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping and communal conflicts. The citizens’ security and safety are non-negotiable, and they look to the new ministers to demonstrate unwavering commitment to restoring stability. Nigerians anticipate comprehensive reforms within the security sector, including equipping and adequately training law enforcement agencies, intelligence sharing, and collaboration with international partners to tackle transnational crimes. A holistic approach that addresses the root causes of these security issues, such as poverty and lack of education, is eagerly awaited. The state of healthcare in Nigeria has also been a cause for concern. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of the healthcare system, shedding light on the inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality medical care, and the brain drain of healthcare professionals. The citizens expect the newly inaugurated Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, to prioritize healthcare reform, ensuring that adequate funding is allocated to build and upgrade healthcare facilities, procure essential medical equipment, and provide training and incentives to healthcare workers. A robust healthcare system not only safeguards the population’s health but also bolsters the nation’s overall productivity and development. Education is another arena where Nigerians are looking for transformative changes. Despite being blessed with a young and vibrant population, the education sector has suffered from inadequate funding, outdated curriculum, and a lack of access to quality education in many regions. The new ministers are being entrusted with the responsibility of revamping the education system, from primary to tertiary levels. Citizens hope for the implementation of policies that prioritize teacher training, curriculum modernization, and the integration of technology in education. Additionally, special attention needs to be given to regions where educational disparities are most pronounced, ensuring that every Nigerian child has equal access to quality education. Corruption remains a significant impediment to Nigeria’s progress. Nigerians are looking to the new cabinet to not only maintain the anti-corruption drive but to intensify efforts in ensuring transparency and accountability in public office. Effective utilization of resources, strict adherence to due process, and the swift prosecution of corrupt individuals are the expectations of the citizens. Furthermore, they anticipate the implementation of policies that promote ethical governance and discourage corrupt practices at all levels of government. Infrastructural development, particularly in the areas of power generation, transportation, and information technology, is crucial for Nigeria’s growth. Citizens eagerly await the unveiling of comprehensive plans that will address the longstanding issues of inadequate power supply, inadequate road networks, and poor internet connectivity. These are fundamental elements that underpin economic development and enhance the quality of life for the population. In the realm of foreign policy, Nigerians hope for a government that will foster strong diplomatic relationships with other nations while advancing the country’s interests on the global stage. Economic partnerships, trade agreements, and international collaborations are seen as critical for Nigeria’s growth and development. The citizens look to the new ministers to represent the nation effectively in international forums and negotiations, projecting a positive image of Nigeria to the world. In conclusion, as President Bola Tinubu’s new ministers assume their respective offices, they should understand that they’re stepping into roles of immense responsibility and great expectation. Nigerians envision a future marked by economic prosperity, enhanced security, improved healthcare and education systems, eradication of corruption, and infrastructural development. The challenges ahead are daunting, but the citizens’ hope and optimism are unwavering. It is incumbent upon Tinubu and his cabinet to translate these hopes into concrete actions, demonstrating their commitment to serving the best interests of Nigeria and its people. As the nation watches, their decisions and actions will determine the course of Nigeria’s journey towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

Set Nigeria on prosperity path, Adesina tasks Tinubu

*Say Nigeria has no reason to be poor African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has urged President Bola Tinubu to wake up to his responsibilities and set the country on the path of prosperity. In his keynote address at the Business Day Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Forum on Thursday in Lagos, the AfDB President noted that until Nigeria wakes up from its slumber, the country will continue to stagnate economically. According to his address titled: “The Day the Lion Roared! Making Nigeria a Global Industrial and Economic Giant”, the AfDB helmsman said the country had no reason to be a poor country.   ”’The day that Nigeria wakes up and becomes a lion king, everything will change for its people; and everything will change for all of Africa. ”Nigeria should never be a poor country; and Nigerians are tired of being poor. “For now, Nigeria is developing too slowly and well below its potential. The challenge is for the lion to roar. Then we will have the making of an economic giant. “The key for that is for Nigeria to have an Industrial Revolution,” he said. Adesina said the share of manufacturing in the GDP of Nigeria had hovered around seven percent in the past decades. According to him, the nation has not been able to extricate itself from the comatose of its industrial manufacturing sector to unleash the fullness of its potential. “The performance of the manufacturing sector in the past five years has been poor. Between 2015-2017 the sector declined by -1.5per cent, -4.3per cent and -0.2per cent. ”This is in sharp contrast to the dynamic and rapid performance of manufacturing in Asian countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, India, and China. The manufacturing sector of Nigeria represents only three per cent of the total revenue from exports, but accounts for 50 per cent of imports in the country. “Instead of being forward-looking in expanding the share of the manufactured goods in its total export revenue, Nigeria focuses on the model of import substitution,” Adesina said. Adesina said further that the country has a manufacturing sector that cannot develop to compete globally, but limits itself to “survival mode” and not a “global manufacturing growth mode”. He said a well-developed and policy-enabled manufacturing sector, with export orientation will spur greater innovation, industrial policy for export market development, and structural transformation of the economy. He said rather than being consumed with conserving foreign exchange, the focus should shift to expanding foreign exchange through greater export value diversification. African countries, including Nigeria,  he said have had policies, templates, and programs for industrialization and expanding industrial manufacturing for decades, but there is a huge gap between policy ideas and actions.