- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has called for continuity of his administration ongoing reform as he maintained that the challenges facing the country cannot be completely solved within four years.
Tinubu pitched for a second term in office as he expressed commitement to building an economy that lifts people out of poverty.
The president made this known during a nationwide address in commemoration of the October 1st Independence Day celebration.
He highlighted his administration’s interventions in addressing the economic challenges facing Nigerians over the past three years
‘We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations.
‘But we can change its course. We can build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that those who remain vulnerable are not abandoned along the way.
‘That is why we are strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register so that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.
‘It is why the Nigerian Education Loan Fund is ensuring that the child of a low-income family need not surrender the dream of higher education simply because his parents cannot afford the fees.
‘It is why CREDICORP is giving working Nigerians access to consumer credit, allowing people to acquire vehicles, solar systems, digital devices and other essential assets without first having to accumulate years of savings.’ He said.
Tinubu noted that the interventions, which included timely and full payment of salaries and pensions, are not substitutes for prosperity.
He maintained that his administration’s objective is to defeat poverty and not maintain it.
‘That is why, working with our states and local governments, we will continue to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education, and the essential public services poorer Nigerians depend on most.
‘Since 2023, we have paid salaries and pensions on time and in full. We have reformed the national pension program to benefit retirees and the vulnerable.
‘These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity.
‘They are a bridge to aid our nation’s citizens on their path towards it. Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently.
‘We will defeat it.’ He said.
The president however held that the process would take time.
‘It will take time. It will require discipline. It will require sustained growth year after year and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across our country.’ He said.
