October 01, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, in Abuja, presided over Nigeria’s 63rd Independence celebration with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and members of the Independence Planning Committee chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and other personalities in attendance.
THEWILL reports that the presidential change of guards parade held at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa in Abuja ended at exactly 12 noon.
President Tinubu inspected the quarter guards before marching to the State Box to receive a national salute. The national salute was followed by a rendition of the National Anthem.
Although a low-key event, the colourful Independence Parade was performed by the Armed Forces and the para-military agencies.
President Tinubu, accompanied by the Vice President and other personalities, signed the anniversary register. The event climaxed with the cutting of the anniversary cake.
THEWILL reports that President Tinubu had earlier addressed the nation via a televised broadcast on Sunday morning.
During the broadcast, the President said the average low-grade worker in the country shall receive an additional N25,000 per month for six months as part of measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional twenty-five thousand naira per month,” he said.
President Tinubu stated that the first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits would begin to arrive in the country very soon, assuring that everyone was working together to expedite the procurement procedure.
Tinubu said in order to develop and offer new chances for transport operators and entrepreneurs, the government was also putting up training centres and workshops across the country, adding that at this time in the country’s history, his administration was making the necessary adjustments to power the economy.
“New CNG conversion kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast-track the usually lengthy procurement process. We are also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs. This is a groundbreaking moment, where as a nation, we embrace more efficient means to power our economy. In making this change, we also make history,” the President said.
The President reiterated what he said at his inaugural address on May 29, where he announced an end to fuel subsidy, saying that bold reforms were necessary to place the nation on the path of prosperity and growth.
While stating that he derives no joy in seeing Nigerians suffer, he said: “I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment. Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansion in the middle of a swamp. I am different.
“I am not a man to erect our national home on a foundation of mud. To endure, our home must be constructed on safe and pleasant ground.
“Reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few. A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever-fading past.
“There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.
“My government is doing all that it can to ease the load. I will now outline the path we are taking to relieve the stress on our families and households.
“We have embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilise the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.”
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