In his New Year address to the nation on Monday, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the frustrations expressed by some Nigerians due to recent decisions made by his administration. The President specifically referenced concerns arising from the removal of fuel subsidy and Naira devaluation.
President Tinubu expressed awareness of the challenges faced by citizens, stating, “I am not oblivious to the expressed and sometimes unexpressed frustrations of my fellow citizens.” He highlighted the tough decisions taken in the past seven months to avert fiscal catastrophe, including the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy and addressing the foreign exchange system’s challenges.
Acknowledging the discomfort caused by these decisions, the President addressed rising concerns about the cost of living, high inflation exceeding 28%, and the unacceptable under-employment rate. Despite the challenges, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to be patient, assuring them that his administration is actively working on resolving the socio-economic issues through the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’
“The time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter,” stated President Tinubu. He encouraged citizens to view the current circumstances as an opportunity to work collectively for the good of the nation and commit to being better citizens in 2024.
Addressing the issue of insecurity, the President revealed silent efforts to free captives from abductors while acknowledging that more work needs to be done. He assured Nigerians that the groundwork for economic recovery had been laid in the past seven months, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to accelerating service delivery across various sectors.
As the nation navigates challenges, President Tinubu called for unity and determination, rekindling hope in the promise of Nigeria and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for a better future.
