Bolatito Mercy
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, saying the country is approaching the end of its period of economic sacrifice and is on the path to greater development.
Tinubu made the appeal ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The President, who was represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, spoke during the Independence Day Jumat prayer held at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday.
Abbas conveyed Tinubu’s message that although Nigeria had yet to reach its desired destination, the country was moving in the right direction.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the government’s ongoing reforms, saying they were aimed at putting the country on a sustainable path to growth and development.
According to the President, Nigeria’s 66th anniversary represents an important milestone in the country’s history, despite the challenges and missed opportunities experienced since independence.
He expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for preserving the lives of Nigerians and sustaining peace in the country.
“My message to the country on behalf of Mr President is that people should not lose hope. Peace is coming back to this country. Development is coming back to this country. Things will get better as we progress in this democracy,” Abbas said.
Speaking on the government’s priorities, Tinubu said Nigerians should pay attention to the administration’s focus on addressing past mistakes and missed opportunities.
He said the government was working to correct the cumulative challenges inherited from previous administrations and reiterated that Nigeria was on the right path.
Abbas also appealed to Nigerians to give Tinubu another opportunity to complete the work he had begun, saying the country’s citizens had made significant sacrifices in the pursuit of national development.
Among the dignitaries at the Jumat prayer were Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago; Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo; and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, among others.
