Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, September 28, expressed that Nigeria envisioned by all citizens would come to fruition through the collective effort of every Nigerian collaborating with the Bola Tinubu administration.
He said that the collaboration is crucial as the administration endeavours to fulfill its campaign pledges.
Shettima made the assertion while speaking during the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Public Lecture, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, themed “Actualizing the Vision of Renewed Hope for Socioeconomic Development through Effective Leadership”.
The vice president noted that in the last 63 years of the nation’s existence, the driving force of the people had been the realization that achieving the collective dream and surmounting present challenges required sacrifice from all citizens, especially the leadership, sacrificing with the hope of building a sustainable future for generations to come.
He, however, assured Nigerians that their sacrifices for a thriving nation will not be in vain as the Tinubu administration has set administrative models in its Renewed Hope Agenda that will see to developments across sectors, using available resources to achieve national prosperity.
Shettima said: “Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, the future of a great nation is not determined by the occurrence of their socioeconomic challenge. The future of every nation rests on the intention, sincerity, and innovative ideas of its leaders and their commitment to implementing them.
“This is why President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda remains an oasis in a scorching sun. We cannot renew the hope of the nation unless we deliver on our promise to drive food security and eradicate poverty.
“We cannot foster economic growth and nurture job creation unless we facilitate access to capital, enhance national security, and optimize the business environment for our enterprises. We are going to uphold the rule of law and fight corruption to design the Nigeria of our dreams. We can’t achieve any of these unless each citizen remains a strategic partner in pursuit of our ultimate national interests.
“At 63, we recognize that what has sustained us and propelled us forward is our collective belief that overcoming the challenges we have inherited necessitates sacrifices, especially from us, the leaders.
“We are driven by the realization that these sacrifices are not for naught. They are investments in a brighter future, investments that will redeem the future, and the fortune of our great generation and guarantee the well-being of generations to come.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies, and gentlemen, the present administration also recognizes that the sacrifices made by each Nigerian will never be in vain. Such solidarity with the economy revival strategy, from the bustling streets of Lagos to the serene landscapes of Enugu has inspired our focus on diverse sectors, from agriculture to digital technology, from healthcare to education”, the Vice President said.
According to Shettima, the Tinubu administration was not oblivious that there would be hurdles on its way toward achieving its campaign promises for Nigerians but noted that the government’s faith in achieving success had been built on the realization that Nigerians are never broken by temporary setbacks.
He said: “We knew from the starting point of this race to serve the people that the track will not be without its holes and ponds. We knew that challenges will arise and obstacles will test our resolve, but as our history has shown, Nigerians are too ambitious to be broken by a temporary setback. We are going to emerge from this phase of our reforms stronger, each of us, with renewed hope.
“As we honor the labours of our heroes past, as we reflect on the values and principles that have brought us this far, as we strive to excel in all that we do, and as we walk together towards a future where opportunity knows no bounds, let’s remember that our most potent weapon is the overriding resolve of the majority to choose unity over chaos and democracy over anarchy”, Shettima said.
Earlier in his Welcome Address, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, explained that the theme of the anniversary lecture was intended to shed more light on critical areas of Nigeria’s socioeconomic potentials that could be explored and developed through policies and programs enunciated by the Tinubu-led administration.
This, according to him, is critical because of the dynamic nature of the country’s socio-economic environment and the global systems.
He said: “Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the theme for today’s symposium, “Actualizing the Vision of Renewed Hope for Socio-Economic Development Through Effective Leadership” is intended to shed more light on critical areas of Nigeria’s socio-economic potentials that could be explored and developed through policies and programs enunciated by this administration.
“This process is critical because of the dynamic nature of our socio-economic environment and the global systems. It is also significant because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, during his recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, beckoned on the world leaders to partner with Nigeria for business and development.
“It is our expectation, therefore, that eminent Nigerians participating in this program would address these economic potentials as well as government’s policies and programs that could turn them into vehicles for achieving our aspiration of becoming one of the 20 Largest Economies of the World by 2030.
“Let me assure you that beyond the celebration of the 63rd independence anniversary, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as the coordinating point for implementation of policies and decisions of government, has made full arrangements to document and carry forward the critical outcomes of the symposium to the highest level of political leadership.
“Where necessary, relevant national think-tank institutions, such as the National Institute for Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER), would be engaged to deepen the articulation.”
Also present at the event was the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Esan; Ministers of Information, Mr Mohammed Idris; Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev; FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike; Budget and Economic Planning, Alh. Atiku Bagudu; Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake; Police Affairs, Alh Ibrahim Gaidam; Steel Development, Mr Shuaibu Audu, and Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, among others.
Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as some members of the diplomatic community also attended the event
