President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Nigerians to endure the current challenging times, emphasizing that such endurance is necessary for a better future.
Acknowledging the hardships faced by citizens, President Tinubu stated that the sacrifices made in the present are essential for achieving a Nigeria where hunger, poverty, and hardship become part of the past.
He conveyed this message during his 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Speech, stressing that reform, while often painful, is the path to greatness and a brighter future.
President Tinubu outlined the measures his administration has undertaken to alleviate the burden on families, including public sector reforms, efforts to stabilize the economy, fiscal and monetary policies to combat inflation, support for production, and ensuring the security of lives and property.
He also announced the introduction of a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage for low-grade workers for the next six months. Furthermore, an Infrastructure Support Fund has been established to aid states in critical areas and provide relief against rising food prices.
In an effort to make the economy more robust, President Tinubu revealed plans to introduce cheaper Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for public transportation. CNG buses, he stated, would operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively impacting transport fares. The government is also expediting the procurement of new CNG conversion kits and establishing training facilities and workshops across the nation to empower transport operators and entrepreneurs.
President Tinubu emphasized that these changes represent a historic moment as Nigeria embraces more efficient means to power its economy.