President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the challenging economic situation in the country, describing it as “unintentional hardship” while appealing to Nigerians for patience and resilience.
The President assured citizens that his administration’s reforms, though painful, are aimed at long-term benefits, promising there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”
Speaking at the 48th convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Tinubu, represented by the Special Adviser on Economy, Office of the Vice President, Tope Fasua, reiterated his commitment to making Nigeria work for everyone.
“I am not unaware of the harsh economic situation of our country, neither do I take pleasure in inflicting pains and anguish on my compatriots,” Tinubu said. “However, we were faced with the stark reality of results of some policies hitherto executed by past administrations, but which had no direct positive impact on the generality of our people.”
The President emphasized that his government had embraced the assets and liabilities inherited from previous administrations without pointing fingers or assigning blame.
“We have gladly accepted the assets and liability of our heroes past without any intention of apportioning blames or pointing an accusing finger at any individual or group of people,” he said.
Tinubu implored Nigerians to endure the current difficulties, assuring that his administration is working tirelessly to correct past mistakes and deliver lasting solutions.
“As we are trying to fix, reconfigure and correct past mistakes and errors, we implore all Nigerians to cooperate with us, endure this unintentional hardship so that, like the graduates of today, we all can celebrate and be celebrated at the end of the day.
“I am certainly seeing the light at the end of our tunnel,” he added.
In his address, the Chancellor of the university, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, highlighted the critical role of education in national development. He described investment in education as the backbone of any nation’s advancement in the global arena.
Similarly, the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, urged the 977 graduating postgraduate students to apply their knowledge towards building a prosperous nation that provides opportunities for future generations.
The convocation ceremony featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on several distinguished individuals. Recipients included First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi; energy expert Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe; MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola; and maritime expert Daere Afonya-A Akobo.
