President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assessed his performance over the last 366 days and gave himself a positive review, stating that his government is delivering on its promises.
He also praised Nigerians for 25 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and urged the populace to focus on building a better nation for future generations.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, urging citizens to collaborate and work together, as there is no other country they can call their own.
The President made these remarks during a joint session of the National Assembly, where he also officially reinstated the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” This followed his signing of a bill that replaced the current anthem, “Arise O Compatriots,” with the previous one, after its passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The President assured that his address would be on June 12, which is Democracy Day.
Tinubu arrived the Green Chamber of the National Assembly exactly 12.31pm for the official take off of the anthem, which they all sang with the Brigade of Guards leading.
Also at the chamber to witness the joint session were National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Zulum; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh; and a host of former lawmakers.
Speaking at the National Assembly, President Tinubu told the lawmakers that he would soon forward to them the 2024 Supplementary Bill for consideration.
He said: “Thank you for building up to this stage, building the institution, building the country. You are first and foremost leaders that speak for our people and you have been in the forefront of this struggle.
“This institution, the hallowed chamber, represents our consciousness for freedom and sense of belonging. You rang out the latest national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee,’ this is our diversity, representing all characters and how we blend together to be brothers and sisters.
“Without this House, probably, I may not have found a path to the Presidency. I started all from here and that is why I have given respect to you. So, continue to collaborate, work together and build our country, we have no other choice.
“It is our nation, no one, no aid, no other institution or personality will help us except we do it ourselves. No amount of aid that will come in from foreign countries or any other nation that will solve our problems, they take care of themselves first.
“Let us work together as we are doing to build our nation, not only for us but for generations yet unborn.
“Charting a new path for development, I have submitted the last budget to you, you expeditiously passed it, and we are walking the talk.
We will soon bring the year 2024 supplementary bill, that is just for your information, but we must not risk this democracy, build this nation so that the future of our great-grand children will be sure of prosperity, development and progress
