May 29, (THEWILL) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inaugural speech to the nation on Monday asserted that the country will be impartially Governed .
He listed the principles that will guide his administration to also include defending the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of country and the subregion.
He said his administration will remodel the country’s economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.
“In our administration, Women and youth will feature prominently. Our government will continue to take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.”
He said Nigeria’s journey as a nation has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of all Nigerians.
“We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.
“Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this sublime, moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.
“To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed”, he said .
Tinubu said the peaceful transition from one government to another is now Nigeria’s political tradition.
“This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.
” For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish.
“Yet here we are. We have stumbled at times, but our resilience and diversity have kept us going.
“Our burdens may make us bend at times, but they shall never break us.
“Instead, we stand forth as Africa’s most populous nation and as the best hope and strongest champion of the Black Race”..
“Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip.
“We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never extinguish ..
“Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.
“We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it”.
Tinubu while speaking on the election that brought him to power said “It was a hard fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality.
“The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic.
“They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore.
“They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law.
He called on all Nigerians to recommit themselves to placing Nigeria in their hearts “as the indispensable home for each and every one of us regardless of creed, ethnicity, or place of birth.
He thanked his supporters and said he would extend his hand across to those who voted against him.
“To those who voted otherwise, I extend my hand across the political divide. I ask you to grasp it in national affinity and brotherhood. For me, political coloration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians.
“May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal”
Speaking on the Nigerian ideal which he has in mind , Tinubu said it is more than just an improvement in economic and other statistics. “These things are important; but they can never convey the fullness of our story.
“Our mission is to improve our way of life in a manner that nurtures our humanity, encourages compassion toward one another, and duly rewards our collective effort to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.
“Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.
“The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.
“Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.”
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
