‘Time maybe rough and tough but we must remain unbowed,’ Tinubu tells Nigerians in New Year message

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rallied Nigerians to stay united and support his administration as it works to build a better nation and a Nigerian society that cares for all citizens.

In a New Year message broadcast to Nigerians at 7 am on Monday, the President urged Nigerians not to falter despite the tough times and difficulties they face.

“Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter,” President Tinubu said.

“The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation.

“Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and every one of us will commit to be better citizens.”

NewsClick Nigeria reports that on May 29, moments after his inauguration, President Tinubu declared that fuel subsidy was gone, an announcement that immediately pushed up the price of petrol.

He would go on to announce the float of the naira, a move aimed at the unification of the foreign exchange windows which saw the value of the naira plummet with the naira now trading at up to 1,000 naira/dollar and fuel price falling from N187 to above N600 in most parts of the country.

While many have blamed these actions for increased hardship in the country, the President once again defended his actions as part of moves to better the economy.

“Everything I have done in office, every decision I have taken, and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land, since I assumed office on 29 May 2023, have been done in the best interest of our country,” the President said.

“Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe. One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades.

“Another was the removal of the chokehold of few people on our foreign exchange system that benefited only the rich and the most powerful among us. Without doubt, these two decisions brought some discomfort to individuals, families, and businesses.”