Tinubu To Nigerians: I Know You Are Suffering, Be Patient

President Bola Tinubu has said he is aware Nigerians are suffering but called for patience while he works to turn around the worsening economic situation.

Tinubu made the declaration on Tuesday in his Independence Day address to the country.

Tinubu said “as I address you today, I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times.

“Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising living costs and the search for meaningful employment. I want to assure you that your voices are heard,” he said.

“As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment, a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world.

“Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers.”

While noting that Nigeria has survived worst times, he called for hope that the future is bright as the country has remained indivisible in the face of threats of “disintegration”.

He said, “While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come in forging and holding our country together,” he said.

“Since independence, our nation has survived many crises and upheavals that led to the dissolution and disintegration of many other nations worldwide. Six years after independence, our country descended into a political crisis that led to a bitter and avoidable civil war.

“Since returning from the brink of that darkest moment, we have learned to embrace our diversity and manage our differences better as we continue to work towards engendering a more perfect union.”

The president said despite the challenges that “buffeted our country”, Nigeria remains a “strong, united, and viable sovereign” nation.