1 Jun 2023

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INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR, 16TH PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ®™√ INN Nigeria © storage emulated 0 pictures comica cartoon16853678323195820496321114757008 Speech dated Monday, 29th May 2023. THE NIGERIAN IDEAL My Fellow Citizens, I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people is unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty is absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity. This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation. As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope. The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential. For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny. This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all. We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble. Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future. To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed. The peaceful transition from one government to another is now our political tradition. This handover symbolises our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be. Here, permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr President, you have been an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation you love. On a more personal note, you are a worthy partner and friend. May History be kind to you. For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish. Yet here we are. We have stumbled at times, but our resilience and diversity have kept us going. Our burdens may make us bend at times, but they shall never break us. Instead, we stand forth as Africa’s most populous nation and as the best hope and strongest champion of the Black Race. As citizens, we declare as one unified people devoted to one unified national cause, that as long as this world exists, NIGERIA SHALL EXIST. Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip. We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never EXTINGUISH? Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own. We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it. In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture? It was a hard-fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality. The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic. They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore. They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law. Over six decades ago, our founding fathers gave bravely of themselves to place Nigeria on the map as an independent nation. We must never allow the labour of those who came before us to wither in vain but to blossom and bring forth a better reality. Let us take the next great step in the journey they began and believed in. Today, let us recommit our very selves to placing Nigeria in our hearts as the indispensable home for every one of us regardless of creed, ethnicity, or place of birth. My supporters, I thank you. To those who voted otherwise, I extend my hand across the political divide. I ask you to grasp it in national affinity and brotherhood. For me, political colouration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians. May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal. My fellow compatriots, The Nigerian ideal which I speak of is more than just an improvement in economics and other statistics. These things are important, but they can never convey the fullness of our story. Our mission is to improve our way of life in a manner that nurtures our humanity, encourages compassion toward one another, and duly rewards our collective effort to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us. Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity. The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise. Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all. In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme. Today, permit me to outline in broad terms a few initiatives that define our concept of progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal: The principles that will guide our administration are simple: 1. Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law. 2. We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our subregion. 3. We shall remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end to extreme poverty. 4. In our administration, Women and youth will feature prominently. 5. Our government will continue to take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies. •SECURITY Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence. To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE. We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower. •THE ECONOMY On the economy, we target higher GDP growth and significantly reduce unemployment. We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps: First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted. Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency. Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well. I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxations and various anti-investment inhibitions. We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard-earned dividends and profits home. •JOBS My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy. Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable. •AGRICULTURE Rural incomes shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products. A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken. Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to the best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector. Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less. •INFRASTRUCTURE We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention. •FUEL SUBSIDY We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. The subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions. •MONETARY POLICY Monetary policy needs a thorough housecleaning. The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy. Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level. Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender. •FOREIGN POLICY Given the world in which we reside, please permit a few comments regarding foreign policy. The crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in our immediate neighbourhood are of pressing concern. As such, my primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African sub-region and the African continent. We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and resolve new ones. As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity. CONCLUSION This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria. On this day, Nigeria affirms its rightful place among the world’s great democracies. There, Nigeria shall reside forever. The course of our past and the promise of the future have brought us to this exceptional moment. In this spirit, I ask you to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality. With full confidence in our ability, I declare that these things are within our proximate reach because my name is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
8 min read

INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR, 16TH PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

29 May 2023
BOLA TINUBU SWORN IN AS 16TH NIGERIA PRESIDENT ®™√ INN Nigeria © storage emulated 0 pictures comica cartoon16853572166451754282545401822385 Asiwaju Hammed Bola Tinubu has been sworn in as the 16th President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. <p> He took the oath of office at exactly 10:35 am with the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwodola in charge. <p> details later…
1 min read

BOLA TINUBU SWORN IN AS 16TH NIGERIA PRESIDENT ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

29 May 2023
MAJOR REHABILITATION: MOTORISTS, RESIDENTS HAILS SENATOR TOKUNBO ABIRU AS CONTRACTOR BEGINS PALLIATIVE WORK ON 32-KM IKORODU-ITOKIN ROAD ®™√ INN Nigeria © storage emulated 0 pictures comica cartoon16850965927475065488812067360709 The stabilisation of the 32-km Ikorodu-Itokin Road has started ahead of the major rehabilitation of the critical road that connects Lagos, Ikorodu, Epe, and Ibeju-Lekki to other parts of Nigeria. The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, facilitated the project. Senator Abiru who expressed concern for the difficulties faced by motorists and residents using the corridor commended the Contractor for initiating palliative work on the road to alleviate the suffering of residents, commuters, and motorists while awaiting the start of the rehabilitation, which is expected to begin very soon. The Ikorodu-Itoikin Road was constructed in 1975 by Taylor Woodrow, under the regime of General Yakubu Gowon. This is the first major rehabilitation of the road since it was built almost 50 years ago. Palliative materials like hardcore rocks, stone-based and other construction stabilisation materials are being applied on failed sections of the road to ease movement. The palliative work had been carried out on critical sections at Itoikin, Agbowa. Construction workers are currently working at Imota, after Parks and Gardens Estate. Before the end of the week, the work is expected to advance to Isiu, Ikorodu North Headquarters. The work will terminate at Sabo, Ikorodu. Recall that in April 2021, Senator Abiru raised a motion on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on, “The Urgent Need For The Rehabilitation Of The Ikorodu-Sagamu And Ikorodu-Itoikin- Epe Roads To Further Bridge The Infrastructure Gap And Enhance Economic Growth In Nigeria”. In December 2022, the Lagos East Senator paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN at his office in Abuja to show appreciation for his efforts on two critical Federal roads: Ikorodu- Itoikin Road and Ikorodu/ Sagamu Road. During the courtesy call, Senator Abiru extended the gratitude of Constituents of the Lagos East Senatorial District to the minister for his efforts over the accelerated construction of Ikorodu- Sagamu Road and the planned rehabilitation of 32-Km Ikorodu-Itoikin Road which had been approved by the Federal Executive Council.
2 min read

MAJOR REHABILITATION: MOTORISTS, RESIDENTS HAILS SENATOR TOKUNBO ABIRU AS CONTRACTOR BEGINS PALLIATIVE WORK ON 32-KM IKORODU-ITOKIN ROAD ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

26 May 2023

More News On INN

FOLASHADE-OBA BAGS TINUBU NATIONAL THINK-TANK OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARDS IN ABUJA ®™√ INN Nigeria © 8889uuh1401251634300255131 The National Chairman of the Association of Local Government Vice-Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGOVC), Aarebirin Honourable (Dr) Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba has bagged the Tinubu National Think-Tank (TNT) Outstanding Leadership Awards. Folashade-Oba, Vice-Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State, was presented the prestigious Award on Tuesday the 30th of May 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria. According to the organisation, Folashade-Oba, who they deem a Matron to TNT, was bestowed the prominent award due to her invariant defence of projects related to the new President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Receiving the Award, Folashade-Oba appreciated the organisation for deeming her fit to earn the exceptional commendation, asserting that the award is simply a motivation to commit herself more to the betterment of the Nation. "This Award is simply a reminder to myself that daily, we must not relent in committing our human and material resources to Nation Building, for the good of the common man" She said A long-term admirer and supporter of the new President of Nigeria, Folashade-Oba explained that the reason she stood to uphold projects related to the President, for her is the best way to affirm her loyalty to the President, who she labelled a mentor to her evolution on many fronts. She's also the Global Director General of the Asiwaju Distinguished Ambassadors Movement (ADAM).
1 min read

FOLASHADE-OBA BAGS TINUBU NATIONAL THINK-TANK OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARDS IN ABUJA ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

1 Jun 2023
NACAF 2023: RELIVE THE MAGIC PRESENTATIONS, PICTORIAL MOMENTS OF THE NIGERIA ARTS AND CHILDREN CULTURAL FESTIVAL ®™√ INN Nigeria © storage emulated 0 pictures comica cartoon16854514048015004551690346294088 The Memorable event took place at the Ikorodu Musical Village in Ikorodu, with over 33 schools in attendance. Held on the 27th of May 2023 to commemorate Children's Day. Organised by Oshodi Arts Gallery.
1 min read

NACAF 2023: RELIVE THE MAGIC PRESENTATIONS, PICTORIAL MOMENTS OF THE NIGERIA ARTS AND CHILDREN CULTURAL FESTIVAL ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

30 May 2023
DSS’ SIEGE ON OUR LAGOS OFFICE SHOCKING – EFCC ®™√ INN Nigeria © storage emulated 0 pictures comica cartoon16854415674238457796336087846574 The operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, this morning, May 30, 2023, to be denied entry by agents of the Department of State Services, DSS, who had barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers. This development is strange to the Commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident. By denying operatives access to their offices, the Commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted. Cases scheduled for a court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended. Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care with grave implications for their rights as inmates. All of these have wider implications for the nation’s fight against economic and financial crimes. The siege is inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter.
1 min read

DSS’ SIEGE ON OUR LAGOS OFFICE SHOCKING – EFCC ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

30 May 2023
GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU ENLISTS GENDER EQUALITY, SOCIAL INCLUSION, YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT AGENDA; TAKES OATH WITH DEPUTY ®™√ INN Nigeria © fb img 16853664508099178761542173265346 There is more progress to come as Lagos State steadily journeys into the unfolding dispensation, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reassured Lagosians as he took the oath to kick off his second term, on Monday. The morning downpour could not water down the Governor’s will and determination to renew his pledge to Lagos citizens before whom he stood at the amphitheatre of Tafawa Balewa Square, where the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, administered the oath on him. Sanwo-Olu was sworn in at exactly 11:50 am, after which the Governor stepped forward to give a thorough account of stewardship of his first term. Enumerating transformations recorded by the State since 2019 under his leadership, the Governor noted that Lagos had lived up to its billing as the Center of Excellence. The State, he said, became the first sub-national to deliver an intracity rail network from its balance sheet to aid mass mobility in the mega city. This, the Governor said, has further advanced the State’s development course, just as the completion of Lekki Deep Seaport has enhanced socio-economic growth and turned the State into a new logistics hub of West Africa. He said the delivery of the largest rice mill in Imota by his administration was a game changer that would make Lagos a key player in the food production chain on the continent. Sanwo-Olu said Lagos had remained on the track of sustenance and prosperity, pointing out that his Government’s financial engineering led to the upgrade of the State to AAA(nga) status in financial sustainability and resilience by Fitch International - a feat unprecedented in the State’s annals. The Governor, sharing his catalogue of achievements, also listed other notable progress made by Lagos, especially in expanding infrastructure to enhance the intermodal transport system, healthcare services, education, aesthetic environment, social interventions and other areas across his administration’s development agenda. “In my first term, we set the stage for transformative change. We confronted significant challenges, from improving our infrastructure to ensuring adequate social services, from grappling with economic downturns to navigating a global pandemic. Yet, we never faltered. Our challenges became stepping-stones and our trials, the foundation of our resilience,” Sanwo-Olu said. Despite fulfilling some of his pledges, the Governor said there would be much more to be accomplished in the coming days as his final term begins. He said the swearing-in offered him an opportunity to acknowledge the expectations of the electorate, and to rededicate his administration towards meeting and surpassing the people’s expectations. Sanwo-Olu said his vision was beyond the provision of physical infrastructure and working to attain good economic indicators for the State; he said he would govern to make Lagos a beacon of cultural vibrancy, intellectual prowess, and humanistic values. The Governor, in his inauguration address, expanded the scope of his administration’s governing T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. He announced three additional areas of focus in which the State Government would intensify intervention in the next four years, including Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth. He said: “That tradition of progressive governance, of enlightened leadership, has consistently yielded fruit for us, and set Lagos up as a model State. We have lived up to our designation as Centre of Excellence, and a day like this is an opportunity to celebrate. Our people still expect a lot more from us in several areas; today is another opportunity to acknowledge our citizens’ expectations and to rededicate ourselves to meeting and surpassing those expectations. I pledge, as your Governor, to unleash greater energy in the service of Lagos. I will work tirelessly for the well-being of every Lagosian and will strive for a Lagos that we can all be proud of. “It is in line with our resolve, I am pleased to announce that we are taking our governing agenda to the next level in this second term. Henceforth, it will be known as ‘T.H.E.M.E.S Plus’, representing the incorporation of an intensified focus on Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth. We are strengthening and reinforcing our governance agenda in order not to leave anyone behind on account of their social status, gender or young age; we will design all our policies and programmes to ensure that everyone is carried along and catered to. This is our solemn promise to you.” Sanwo-Olu said his second term would be more rewarding for the residents, as the State would witness consolidation of his reforms and governance at higher levels. In the coming weeks, the Governor will be delivering another intracity rail network, Red Line Rail, which is at the completion stage. Lagos will also be witnessing the development of a new airport in Ibeju-Lekki, Deep Seaport in Badagry and Fourth Mainland Bridge in addition to other capital projects in the pipeline. The task ahead, the Governor said, would be a collective responsibility of the Government and people, noting that he would always seek partnership with the citizens in line with his administration’s mantra. He assured that his administration would continue to foster a culture of transparency, accountability and participatory governance. “The greatness and strength of Lagos lie in the collective spirit of our people; whether those paying taxes, or those treating public property with care and respect, or those speaking about something when they see something going wrong or someone breaking the law. For us as a government, I would be the first to acknowledge our side of this social contract. I will not let you down,” the Governor said. Sanwo-Olu eulogised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for laying the foundation for the development of Lagos, which, he said, made it easy for the succeeding administrations to strengthen transformational governance and keep the State on the path of progress. The Governor also thanked the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for dedicating kindness and support for Lagos, which enabled his administration to record many successes in the last four years. Sanwo-Olu said he was ready to continue to offer transformational leadership to the State in collaboration with his Deputy, Dr Drfemi Hamzat, whom he described as a “loyal friend, partner-in-progress”. He promised Lagos would remain a city united by its diversity, while pledging to work till his last days in creating a better future for the citizens. He said: “At this moment of our history, it has fallen upon me to steer the ship and to move us closer than ever to the Greater Lagos of our dreams. As I promised four years ago, the glitz of office will not change my personality and I will not try to become something I am not. I have strived to serve excellently, with humility, compassion, with a listening ear, bending where necessary to demonstrate that people’s welfare is at the centre of our actions. “I am sending a reminder to Lagosians that this land belongs to all of us, and all of us who call it home must partake in its goodness. Regardless of what language we speak, where we trace our ancestry to, where in Lagos we live, or what religion we profess; regardless of age or gender or political party, and regardless of how long we have called this land home; we are all united by something deep and immutable, which is our aspirations to make tomorrow better than today for us and our children.” Thousands of residents across the State, clad in colourful attires, defied the rains to witness the historic event held at Onikan. The inauguration was well-attended by members of the corporate sector and diplomatic community.
6 min read

GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU ENLISTS GENDER EQUALITY, SOCIAL INCLUSION, YOUTH IN DEVELOPMENT AGENDA; TAKES OATH WITH DEPUTY ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

30 May 2023
INN's Sir Mikky Here, Let's Talk!
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