The Federal Government has hailed Nigerians for their perseverance amid the economic challenges in the country, assuring that the sacrifice won’t be in vain.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation said this on Thursday during a press conference by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
The Minister, who thanked the citizens for their patience and perseverance “in this very difficult period in the evolution of our economy,” added that “the journey has been tough but surely there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our sacrifices will not be in vain.”
At the briefing were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Finance Minister, Wale Edun, Works Minister, Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, among others.
Idris told the gathering that “this is a time of reflection, celebration, and renewed hope as we honour the journey of Nigeria, a nation that has demonstrated resilience, strength, capacity, and an unyielding spirit in the face of numerous and daunting challenges.
“Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has evolved from a nation of hope and potential into a leading force on the African continent and a respected voice in the global community. We have faced numerous trials, from political upheavals to economic challenges, but each time, we have risen stronger through our shared unwavering vision of a united and prosperous country.
“Our democracy, now unbroken for a quarter of a century, stands as a testament to the will of the Nigerian people to attain and sustain freedom and liberty for posterity. Despite some challenges, we have weathered the storm and remained committed to democratic values and showcasing the maturity of our political system.”
He said under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, “we have initiated transformative policies and reforms aimed at correcting the missteps of the past and repositioning Nigeria as an economic superpower in the near future.
“Despite global economic headwinds and the transitional pains accompanying some of the reforms, the President has remained focused in his efforts towards reviving our economy and returning the country to the path of prosperity and sustainable growth.”
He identified other landmark achievements and interventions of the current administration to include local government autonomy, ensuring macroeconomic stability, stabilizing the foreign exchange regime, reforming the tax system to make it more efficient, and less burdensome on Nigerians, repositioning our oil and gas sector to attract new investment, and prioritizing the diversification and expansion of government revenues.
The Minister further stated that following the removal of the petroleum subsidy, President Tinubu was “gradually guiding Nigeria into an unprecedented energy transition phase, launching a presidential initiative to move the country from fossil fuels to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a fuel for vehicles and machinery.”
“The ongoing rollout of CNG and associated infrastructure is reducing transportation costs for Nigerians by up to 60 percent, creating jobs, and attracting tens of millions of dollars in local and foreign investment.
“The young people of Nigeria now have a clearer path to sustainable tertiary education through the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024, which has established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Complementing this is the new Consumer Credit Corporation, established to guarantee access to low-cost and flexible consumer credit.
“In multiple ways the President is focused on putting more money in the pockets of the Nigerian people, and creating avenues for sustainable prosperity.
“Let me now use this opportunity to thank Nigerians for your patience and resilience in this very difficult period in the evolution of our economy. The journey has been tough but surely there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our sacrifices will not be in vain.
“Amid these challenging times, we should never underplay the emerging shoots of progress, whether it is the growing success of our military against bandits and criminals, or the drop in inflation for a second consecutive month, or the mounting testimonials from delighted beneficiaries of business grants, student loans, and CNG vehicle conversions, among others.
“Let us continue to remind ourselves that we share the collective task of striving for the peace, unity and stability of this great country of ours. Together we will build a nation that will be the pride of every black man on the planet.”
