President Tinubu Outlines Vision for 2024 in New Year Broadcast
In his New Year broadcast, President Bola Tinubu expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their resilience and welcomed the challenges of the upcoming year with optimism. The President highlighted the successes of the previous year, emphasizing the peaceful transition of power and the seven months of his administration, which focused on crucial economic and security reforms.
President Tinubu acknowledged the difficult decisions made to address economic challenges, such as the removal of the fuel subsidy and the restructuring of the foreign exchange system. Despite the resulting discomfort for individuals and businesses, he assured the public that these decisions were necessary for the long-term stability and growth of the nation.
Addressing the concerns raised by citizens about the rising cost of living, high inflation, and underemployment, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain steadfast, emphasizing that tough times are temporary. He encouraged a collective commitment to becoming better citizens in the face of socio-economic challenges.
The President highlighted achievements in the security sector, mentioning efforts to secure the release of captives from abductors. While acknowledging that security challenges persist, he assured the nation of ongoing work to ensure peace across homes, workplaces, and roads.
Economic recovery plans were a focal point, with President Tinubu pledging to accelerate service delivery across various sectors. He mentioned a new deal with the German Chancellor to expedite the Siemens Energy power project, aiming to provide reliable electricity to homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative.
To address food security, plans were outlined to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland for staple crops such as maize, rice, wheat, and millet. The President also promised advancements in local petroleum refining, with a focus on the Port Harcourt Refinery and the fully operational Dangote Refinery.
President Tinubu reassured investors and business people that Nigeria is open for business, vowing to remove obstacles hindering competitiveness. He emphasized his commitment to prioritizing national defense and internal security, job creation, macroeconomic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security.
In a nod to the working class, the President announced the implementation of a new national living wage in the new year, recognizing the importance of economic fairness. He reiterated his dedication to accountability, with a Policy Coordination, Evaluation, Monitoring, and Delivery Unit in place to ensure governance output improves the lives of Nigerians.
Closing his address, President Tinubu called for unity and collaboration among Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, to work towards the peace, progress, and stability of the nation. He urged citizens to embrace equal opportunities for all and expressed his vision for building a fair and equitable society.
As the nation welcomes 2024, President Tinubu wished all Nigerians a happy and prosperous year, concluding with a prayer for God’s continued blessings on the Federal Republic of Nigeria.