President Bola Tinubu has again called for unity in the country and believes Nigeria can only make progress when citizens work for the advancement of the nation, irrespective of their differences.
“As your president, I’ve always said and I’m saying the same thing now, in our national anthem, we sing and praise our founding fathers that ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood, we stand,’” Tinubu said on Thursday in Anambra, where he inaugurated some projects by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
‘Diversity to Prosperity’
In his first trip to the South-East state since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu believes Nigeria’s diversity, with over 250 ethnic groups, should propel the country into prosperity.
“We will continue to be brothers, we are one family, a single family, diverse, living in the same house called Nigeria,” the president, who wore a red Igbo Akwete attire, told the gathering at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.
“We are only staying in different rooms. Our diversity must lead to prosperity, we must work together.”
Some of the projects President Tinubu inaugurated were the Government House, Solution Fun City, the New Governor’s Lodge, the refurbished House of Assembly complex and the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy, located within Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, among others.
At a town hall meeting between stakeholders and the president at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Tinubu commended Soludo’s developmental strides and pledged to support the state.
“Anambra has huge potential, and with Soludo, we can all work together to fast-track the vision,” the president said.
“Let me commend the Government of Anambra State for its proactive efforts in improving security in the state. I wish to assure you that the Federal Government will continue to partner with the State and the Southeast to secure our people and their future.
“We will continue to partner with your state to deliver shared prosperity to Ndi Anambra and all Nigerians.”
President Tinubu admitted to taking tough decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidy among others, since he rose to power.
But he said the “bold efforts” were required to “confront the wastefulness of the past” and “to lay a strong foundation for a more stable, prosperous, and inclusive economy.”
Tinubu Honoured
Tinubu said he is a “son of the soil” in Anambra and asked Soludo for a plot of land in the state for his retirement.
As a mark of honour and appreciation for President Tinubu, traditional rulers in Anambra State bestowed the traditional title of “Dike si Mba,” which means “Hero from Another Land”.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Ogalagidi, Eze Iweka III) conferred Tinubu with the title at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
Some youths who were bearing placards with President Tinubu’s photos and other insignia chanted songs of support for the Nigerian leader.
Soludo’s Support For the Centre
During the meeting, Governor Soludo expressed support for President Tinubu, praised him for his reforms, and his love for Anambra state.
Soludo, who is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a party different from that of President Tinubu, said he will give the administration full backing.
“In 2011, before I joined APGA in 2013, APGA took an official position to support and work with the political party and government at the centre,” Soludo said. “Indeed, in that year, APGA adopted the sitting president then as its presidential candidate, and I want to report that policy by APGA has not changed.”
Inspiring ‘Confidence’
Anyaoku also spoke at the event and appreciated Tinubu for his role in the advancement of democracy in the country.
“Your Excellency’s personal records as a NADECO champion of the return of democracy to our country in 1999 inspires my confidence that you will successfully steer the ship of our country through his present serious challenges including the underperforming economy, which breeds massive poverty and widespread insecurity to the destination that we all the citizens of this country desire,” Anyaoku stated.
“Every discerning observer knows, governing our pluralistic country is a very complex task, and so I’m sure many others like me will continue to pray that God will give you the wisdom and the courage to face and address the pluralism of our country,” he said.
Tinubu landed at the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Anambra around 12:15 pm, accompanied by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, among others.
Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Alex Otti of Abia, and Borno State’s Babagana Zulum were among the top dignitaries at the inauguration of projects.
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