President Bola Tinubu has again, assured Nigerians that better days are ahead in the march out of the current socio economic doldrums and uncertainties.
In his nationwide broadcast today, October 1st, to Mark the country’s 64th Independence anniversary, President Tinubu said that the challenges of the moment must always make the citizens believe in themselves.
“We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.
“I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support. Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens, a nation that resonates with pride, dignity, and shared success.”
President Tinubu believed that”as agents of change,” Nigerians can shape their destiny and build a brighter future by themselves and for the future generations.
He pleaded with the Nigerians to his government in this journey towards a brighter future.
“Let us work together to build a greater Nigeria where every citizen can access opportunities and every child can grow up with hope and promise.”
The full text of President Tinubu’s broadcast is reproduced hereunder:
Fellow Nigerians, as I address you today, I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times. Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising living costs and the search for meaningful employment. I want to assure you that your voices are heard.
As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment, a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world.
Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers.
The world is witnessing and benefiting from the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people, our massive intellectual capacity, and our enterprise and industry in all vocations, from arts to science, technology to infrastructure. The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it.
While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come in forging and holding our country together.
Since independence, our nation has survived many crises and upheavals that led to the dissolution and disintegration of many other nations worldwide. Six years after independence, our country descended into a political crisis that led to a bitter and avoidable civil war. Since returning from the brink of that darkest moment, we have learned to embrace our diversity and manage our differences better as we continue to work towards engendering a more perfect union.
Despite the many challenges that buffeted our country, we remain a strong, united, and viable sovereign nation.
Dear compatriots, our independence anniversary gives us another chance to reflect on how far we have gone in our journey to nation-building and to renew our commitment to building a better nation that will serve present and future generations of Nigerians.
While we celebrate the progress we have made as a people in the last sixty-four years, we must also recognise some of our missed opportunities and mistakes of the past. If we are to become one of the greatest nations on earth, as God has destined us to be, our mistakes must not be allowed to follow us into the future.
My administration took over the leadership of our country 16 months ago at a critical juncture. The economy faced many headwinds, and our physical security was highly impaired. We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse. We decided to reform our political economy and defence architecture.
On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry. Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism. Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.
We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible. As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this.
Our government has been responding to the recent natural disasters, particularly the flooding in parts of the country. After Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, I also visited to assure our people that this federal government will always stand with our people in their times of trouble. At the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council, we approved a Disaster Relief Fund to mobilise private and public sector funds to help us respond faster to emergencies.
Our government has also ordered integrity tests of all our dams in the country to avert future disasters.
The economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling to serve us better and more sustainably. If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences.
Thanks to the reforms, our country attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year.
Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.
The move will create vibrancy and increase oil and gas production, positively impacting our economy.
The more disciplined approach adopted by the Central Bank to monetary policy management has ensured stability and predictability in our foreign exchange market. We inherited a reserve of over $33 billion 16 months ago. Since then, we have paid back the inherited forex backlog of $7 billion. We have cleared the ways and means debt of over N30 trillion. We have reduced the debt service ratio from 97 per cent to 68 per cent. Despite all these, we have managed to keep our foreign reserve at $37 billion. We continue to meet all our obligations and pay our bills.
We are moving ahead with our fiscal policy reforms. To stimulate our productive capacity and create more jobs and prosperity, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which will now be transmitted to the National Assembly. These transformative bills will make our business environment more friendly, stimulate investment and reduce the tax burden on businesses and workers once they are passed into law.
As part of our efforts to re-engineer our political economy, we are resolute in our determination to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments.
The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.
My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home.
I commend the Governors particularly, in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest Governors that have embraced our agricultural production programme. I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertilizer and making tractors and other farm equipment available. Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months.
Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.
Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace.
As we work to overcome the challenges of the day, we remain mindful of the next generation as we seek to galvanize their creative energy towards a better future. We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognizing that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects.
Considering this, I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population. It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.
The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations. The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria.
Our government is implementing several other youth-centric programmes to give our young people an advantage in the rapidly changing world. We are implementing, amongst others, the 3 million Technical Talents programme (3MTT) of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone.
We have also enthusiastically implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides cheap loans to our students to pursue their tertiary educational dreams. In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP). It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country.
As is the tradition, the government will soon announce all the beneficiaries of our national honours for 2024.
The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the deputy speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) .
Fellow Nigerians, better days are ahead of us. The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.
I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support. Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens, a nation that resonates with pride, dignity, and shared success.
As agents of change, we can shape our destiny and build a brighter future by ourselves, for ourselves and for future generations.
Please join our administration in this journey towards a brighter future. Let us work together to build a greater Nigeria where every citizen can access opportunities and every child can grow up with hope and promise.
May God continue to bless our nation and keep members of our armed forces safe.
Happy Independence anniversary, my fellow Nigerians!

Leaders across board, including traditional rulers political and other leaders, have risen in unison to confirm obvious threat to the life of ex Governor Yahaya Bello, suspecting agents of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
“As a result of this, we want to say categorically that there is a confirmed threat to the life of our son and we no longer have confidence in the EFCC to prosecute the ongoing case.”
These were contained in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, dated September 23. The letter was signed by the chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council and Attah of Igala, Matthew Opaluwa; the Vice Chairman and Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Mohammed Anaje; the Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe Kingdom, Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu; Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba; Williams Keke, the Aguma of Bassa Land and Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, representing Kogi East.
Others are Hon. Aliu Umar Yusuf, Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly; Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims, Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives; Hon. Leke Abejide, Former Gubernatorial Candidate of ADC in the 2023 governorship election in Kogi State; Hon. Muhammed Tijani Ozigi, Member, House of Representatives, representing Okene/Ogori-Magongo; Hon. Comfort Egwoba, the Deputy Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly and Hon. Matthew Kolawole, former Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly.
Others who signed the open letter to the President are Hon (Alh) Kabiru Ajanah, the Madaki of Ebira Land and former member, House of Representatives. He is also the Assistant National Auditor of the Arewa Consultative Forum; Hajiya Ladi Ibrahim, former SSG, Kogi State and pioneer Chairman, Financial Reporting Council; Alhaji Abdulmalik Attah, Waziri of Ebira Land; Barrister Halima I. Alfa Ph.D, former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Kogi State.
The open letter goes thus:
23rd September, 2024
Your Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Your Excellency,
PERSECUTION OF FORMER GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE, ALHAJI YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO
We are compelled to write this open letter to you, our dynamic President, in the light of the recent worrisome activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which if not checked, could cast a dent on the noble intentions of Your Excellency, with regard to the fight against corruption and, indeed, the wellbeing of the Nigerian economy as a whole.
It is a fact that no society thrives without an effective framework against corruption, and we, as responsible citizens of Nigeria, fully support the fight against corruption in the interest of all.
We, however, frown at a situation where the activities of an agency saddled with this all-important task paint an embarrassing picture that conflicts with acceptable standards.
Despite the fact that the initial siege on the residence of our son, the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was against the rule of law, because this happened at a time he had a valid court order prohibiting such, we did not interfere in the matter. We relied on the fact that legal battles were on and that the truth would be revealed at the end.
The event of Wednesday, 18th September, 2023 was, however, one that could not be ignored.
The former governor had been declared wanted in April, in curious circumstances, with his fundamental human rights and that of his family violated in the most unfair manner. He was placed on watchlist, among other actions.
After the EFCC finally vacated the same order they had ignored initially, a few weeks ago, he decided to voluntarily submit himself for interrogation on Wednesday while still pursuing the enforcement of his fundamental human rights in the courts. But the EFCC turned this into a condemnable drama that has been greeted with serious outrage across the country.
How would one explain a situation where an agency that declared the former governor wanted and even involved Interpol in the search for him told him to go after waiting for four hours in their premises? The same agency sent out an official statement a few minutes later, saying former governor Yahaya Bello was not in its custody and remained wanted!
The EFCC did not stop at that. Its operatives invaded the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, at night, shooting sporadically and attempting to force their way in. This is a condemnable act in all ramifications in a democracy.
The EFCC explained publicly that the former governor was not interrogated or detained when he came to their headquarters because the incumbent, Alhaji Usman Ododo, was with him at the time of his visit. This explanation was quashed by the unprovoked attack on the Kogi Government Lodge to forcefully arrest a man who had visited their office in the morning and waited for four hours to be interrogated. The same sitting governor who was with him was in the Lodge.
Mr. President, this connotes more than the fight against corruption and the majority of our people have termed this action as an assasination attempt on the former governor.
As a result of this, we want to say categorically that there is a confirmed threat to the life of our son and we no longer have confidence in the EFCC to prosecute the ongoing case.
Mr. President, your renewed hope agenda, when introduced at the advent of your administration, was welcomed by all and sundry across party lines, geographical affiliations and most importantly by all our citizens who saw it as a vehicle to lead us to our rightful place in the comity of nations.
We appreciate your magic wand, which, though made up of some bitter but necessary pills, is gradually taking us out of the wilderness. But we want to stress that the modus operandi of the EFCC in its fight against corruption needs to be reviewed if we must achieve our collective goals as a nation. Currently, it is counter-productive.
Mr. President, our son’s life is endangered. We are convinced that you are a democrat who is committed to making Nigeria work for Nigerians and not for a few. Your laudable achievements in this short period, against all odds, attest to this. This must not be dented by the perception of persecution being vividly portrayed by the EFCC in its case against our son.
We plead with you to call the EFCC to order at this juncture. The game being played by the agency has become a national embarrassment.
LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT
LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Signed:
*His Royal Majesty, Atta Matthew Opaluwa, the Attah of Igala.
*His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Mohammed Anaje, SA‘AKI, the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land.
*His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu, the Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe
Kingdom.
*His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba.
*His Royal Majesty Williams Keke, the Aguma of Bassa Land.
*Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, Senator representing Kogi East.
*Hon. Aliu Umar Yusuf, Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly.
*Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims, Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives.
*Hon. Leke Abejide, Former Gubernatorial Candidate of ADC in the 2023 governorship election in Kogi State.
*Hon. Muhammed Tijani Ozigi, Member, House of Representatives, representing Okene/Ogori-Magongo.
*Hon. Comfort Egwoba, the Deputy Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly.
*Hon. Matthew Kolawole, former Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly.
*Hon (Alh) Kabiru Ajanah, the Madaki of Ebira Land and former member, House of Representatives.
Asst National Auditor Arewa Consultative Forum.
*Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, former SSG, Kogi State,
Pioneer Chairman, Financial Reporting Council.
*Alhaji Abdulmalik Attah, Waziri of Ebira Land.
*Barr. Halima I. Alfa Ph.D, former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Kogi State; former Director, SURE-P; former ANPP National Financial Secretary, current Board of Trustee Member, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).