By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering a stable, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria, assuring citizens that he will not abandon the responsibility of governance despite prevailing challenges.
Speaking on Thursday at the State House in Abuja while receiving members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, the President said his government remains focused on restructuring the economy and expanding opportunities for all Nigerians.
Tinubu said the ongoing reforms are aimed at dismantling long-standing structural barriers that have hindered national growth and prosperity.
“You represent the conscience of a nation that wants to break the shackles of poverty and hopelessness,’’ he said.
The President stressed the importance of citizen participation in nation-building, noting that a more inclusive society would guarantee a better future for generations to come.
He urged the ambassadors to intensify grassroots mobilisation and sensitisation efforts, particularly in communicating government policies designed to improve livelihoods.
Reaffirming his respect for democratic principles, Tinubu said his administration would continue to uphold the rule of law and the independence of institutions.
“We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of the court; we must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not. We submit to this principle of democracy, separation of powers, and understanding of the dynamics of it, and the nationhood that Nigeria is, that we must build one country. That’s what Renewed Hope is all about. You must give them that hope.
“There’s no other path for us to attain national greatness other than to build one common vision for the progress and prosperity of our people. That is what we must do,’’ he added.
The President also dismissed criticisms from opposition figures, describing them as attempts to distract his administration from its reform agenda.
“They want to scare me off? It’s a lie. I’ve been through this path before. And if I have to come back over and over and over again, I’ll do the same thing. There is no better place than your own country. And no one can build it except you.
“We saw great things, skyscrapers. We wonder how the plane takes off and flies us from one destination to another. There was no magic of yesterday. It is the thinker of tomorrow and the future that can elevate life, that can reform us all.
“And being the transformative leaders that you are, you are in good company. Don’t be afraid. I’ve listened to you. I didn’t have to look back on the economy because the truth is, I took over from myself. The late Buhari was me. He was my partner. And if I took over from him. Is that not from me? So, if something is wrong, fine. Live with it, correct it, move on.
“The life voyage is not going to be easy. I can only stand before you and say you will not regret it. That is why we ask you to renew their hope. If they don’t want to see the hope and the roads and bridges, and the children we raise, the economy we are growing, we shall lend them Jigi-Bola, eyeglasses. One thing that you need from me is a promise that I won’t run away from the affair. With you, the deal is done”.
Reinforcing his assurance, the President told the group: “We act as one family. You represent a conscience, a nation that wants to break the shackles of poverty, ignorance, and hopelessness. You are in a good company. That’s all I can say. And all I can promise is I won’t give up”.
Earlier, Governor Uzodimma said the delegation was at the State House to brief the President on progress made in mobilising support for his administration’s programmes across the country.
“Our purpose in coming is to brief Mr President on how far we have gone with this national assignment, to present the substance of the work already done, and to reaffirm that the structure you graciously created is not only alive but active, coordinated, and already creating measurable political and civic dividends across the nation.
“At the regional level, activities have begun in earnest. All the structures of all the local governments have been inaugurated, as in the electoral wards.
“We have kick – started the process of enumeration up to the polling unit level. We are continuously harvesting data during enrolment, taking the messages to the markets, schools and professional groups, women platforms and faith-based and grassroots political structures,” Uzodimma said.
Also speaking, former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, commended Tinubu’s leadership and resilience in implementing reforms.
“We know very well that reformers are always finding it extremely difficult at the beginning. More especially, if you are reforming in a society that is very difficult to understand, and some are willing to make people not understand,” Masari said.
He urged the President not to be distracted by critics, insisting that the reforms, though difficult, were necessary.
“You have done so much, Mr President, but don’t allow noise makers to distract you. Your bashings are not for you alone. Even your detractors know that you have done well.
“Will anyone come tomorrow and say he will reverse the removal of fuel subsidy or return the nation to multiple foreign exchange rates?” Masari added.
The meeting, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, several governors and party leaders, underscored growing political mobilisation around the administration’s reform agenda as the government seeks to deepen its economic and governance policies.
