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FULL TEXT: President Tinubu’s inaugural speech

THE NIGERIAN IDEAL

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JIFORM urges Tinubu to create ministry for diaspora, migration engagements

My Fellow Citizens,

I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people, unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty, absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity.

This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation.

As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.

The question we now ask ourselves is whether to remain faithful to the work inherent in building a better society or retreat into the shadows of our unmet potential.

For me, there is but one answer. We are too great a nation and too grounded as a people to rob ourselves of our finest destiny.

This nation’s journey has been shaped by the prayers of millions, and the collective sacrifices of us all.

We have endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble.

Yet, we have shouldered the heavy burden to arrive at this SUBLIME moment where the prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future.

To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed.

The peaceful transition from one government to another is now our political tradition. This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.

Here, permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr President (former), you have been an honest, patriotic leader who has done his best for the nation you love. On a more personal note, you are a worthy partner and friend. May History be kind to you.

For many years, Nigeria’s critics have trafficked the rumour that our nation will break apart, even perish.

Yet here we are. We have stumbled at times, but our resilience and diversity have kept us going.

Our burdens may make us bend at times, but they shall never break us.

Instead, we stand forth as Africa’s most populous nation and as the best hope and strongest champion of the Black Race.

As citizens, we declare as one unified people devoted to one unified national cause, that as long as this world exists, NIGERIA SHALL EXIST.

Today, Fate and Destiny join together to place the torch of human progress in our very hands. We dare not let it slip.

We lift high this torch so that it might shine on every household and in every heart that calls itself Nigerian. We hold this beam aloft because it lights our path with compassion, brotherhood, and peace. May this great light never EXTINGUISH.

Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.

We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear and injure it.

In this vein, may I offer a few comments regarding the election that brought us to this juncture. It was a hard fought contest. And it was also fairly won. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has not held an election of better quality.

The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it render them any less patriotic.

They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore.

They have taken their concerns to court. Seeking legal redress is their right and I fully defend their exercise of this right. This is the essence of the rule of law.

Over six decades ago, our founding fathers gave bravely of themselves to place Nigeria on the map as an independent nation.

 

We must never allow the labor of those who came before us to wither in vain but to blossom and bring forth a better reality.

Let us take the next great step in the journey they began and believed in.

Today, let us recommit our very selves to placing Nigeria in our hearts as the indispensable home for each and every one of us regardless of creed, ethnicity, or place of birth.

My supporters, I thank you. To those who voted otherwise, I extend my hand across the political divide. I ask you to grasp it in national affinity and brotherhood. For me, political coloration has faded away. All I see are Nigerians.

May we uphold these fitting and excellent notions as the new Nigerian ideal.

My fellow compatriots,

The Nigerian ideal which I speak of is more than just an improvement in economic and other statistics. These things are important; but they can never convey the fullness of our story.

Our mission is to improve our way of life in a manner that nurtures our humanity, encourages compassion toward one another, and duly rewards our collective effort to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.

Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.

The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.

Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.

In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme. Today, permit me to outline in broad terms a few initiatives that define our concept of progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal:

The principles that will guide our administration are simple:

1. Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law.

2. We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our subregion.

3. We shall remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.

4. In our administration, Women and youth will feature prominently.

5. Our government will continue to take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies.

SECURITY

Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE.

We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower.

THE ECONOMY

On the economy, we target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment.

We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps:

First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted.

Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.

Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.

I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.

We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home.

JOBS

My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.

Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.

AGRICULTURE

Rural incomes shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products. A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken.

Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.

Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.

INFRASTRUCTURE

We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention.

FUEL SUBSIDY

We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.

MONETARY POLICY

Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning. The Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.

Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.

Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender.

FOREIGN POLICY

Given the world in which we reside, please permit a few comments regarding foreign policy.

The crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in our immediate neighbourhood are of pressing concern.

As such, my primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African subregion and the African continent. We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.

As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity.

CONCLUSION

This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria.

On this day, Nigeria affirms its rightful place among the world’s great democracies. There, Nigeria shall reside forever.

The course of our past and the promise of the future have brought us to this exceptional moment.

In this spirit, I ask you to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality.

With full confidence in our ability, I declare that these things are within our proximate reach because my name is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

May God bless you and May He bless our beloved land.

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NAFDAC warns fruit sellers against chemical use for preservation

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Sokoto state has warned fruit sellers to refrain from using calcium carbonate and other harmful chemicals to preserve fruits.

The warning was issued by the State Coordinator, Mr Abdusalam Lawal, during a public awareness campaign against the use of chemicals in food preservation on Thursday in Sokoto.

Lawal urged fruit and foodstuff dealers to stop the dangerous practice, stressing that it posed serious risks to public health.

With Ramadan fasting approaching, a period of increased fruit consumption, he highlighted the importance of using safe preservation methods.

He warned that the use of chemicals like calcium carbonate could lead to severe health issues, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and even terminal diseases.

“We must understand that mixing chemicals with consumables in the name of food preservation is hazardous to our health,” Lawal stated.

He condemned the practice, calling it not only harmful but also “suicidal.”

Lawal explained that only welders were permitted to use calcium carbonate for tasks such as melting iron, and that NAFDAC would increase surveillance to ensure that chemicals were being used properly and not sold to fruit vendors.

In response, Alhaji Bello Danda, Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, advised fellow sellers to adopt hygienic methods for fruit preservation.

He warned that violators of this process would face penalties.

Danda demonstrated how mangoes, bananas, and watermelons could be ripened safely in commercial quantities without posing harm to consumers.

He also called on the government to provide amenities for a more conducive trading environment in markets and to assist with modern preservation machinery for longer-lasting fruit storage.

Danda noted that Kasuwan Daji Market was widely patronised by people from southern Nigeria as well as neighbouring countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NAFDAC team also inspected preservation methods, transportation networks, and held discussions with marketers on various issues.

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 NAFDAC strengthens regulations to combat antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria

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NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its efforts to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Nigeria by implementing stricter regulations and surveillance measures.

Dr Tunde Sigbeku, Deputy Director and AMR-OH Focal Person at NAFDAC, said this on Thursday in Lagos.

Sigbeku spoke during a five-day training session for journalists, civil society organisations (CSOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) focused on AMR.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the training was organised by the Fleming Fund Country Grant (FFCG II).

The project is supported by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Sigbeku highlighted the dangers of AMR, emphasising that it poses a severe threat to human, animal, and environmental health.

He said that NAFDAC had implemented several policies, including banning the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock and fish production.

“AMR is real and with us in Nigeria. We have cases in hospitals, including babies born with colistin resistance, and it is also present on farms.

“We are taking steps like prohibiting the sale of branded medicated feed in open markets.

We are also restricting the use of certain veterinary drugs in food-producing animals, such as Carbadox, Nitrofural, and Olaquindox.

“We are strengthening port inspections to detect substandard and falsified antibiotics using advanced technologies like TRUSCAN and the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS),” he said l.

According to him, recognising that AMR requires a multi-sectoral approach.

He said that the agency had established collaborations with international and national stakeholders.

He listed such stakeholders to include the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the Fleming Fund.

“NAFDAC is also monitoring the importation and use of human and veterinary antibiotics to ensure compliance with national regulations,” he said.

Sigbeku stressed the need for continuous public awareness and collaboration with research institutions.

“We must educate, advocate, and act now.

“Increased surveillance, research, and policy enforcement are crucial to preventing a post-antibiotic era where common infections become deadly,” he said.

As Nigeria joins the global fight against AMR, he urged healthcare providers, farmers, and the general public to use antibiotics responsibly to preserve their effectiveness for future generations.

NAN recalls that the FFCG II has been instrumental in Nigeria’s fight against AMR.

Managed by Management Sciences for Health (MSH), the project collaborates with the One Health Ministries.

They are the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), as well as the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The aim is to implement a coordinated, multisectoral approach addressing AMR across human, animal, and environmental health.

Aligned with Nigeria’s FFCG Phase 2 Country Investment Strategy (CIS), the project focuses on four priority areas:

Producing quality AMR data, analysing data effectively, sharing analysis with decision-makers and promoting sustainable investment to counter AMR.

Through these efforts, the project plays a crucial role in strengthening Nigeria’s response to AMR, a growing public health concern.

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Zamfara communities laud military operations in combating banditry

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Intensified Military Operations Bring Relief to Kuje Residents as Criminal Activities Subside

Communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara, have lauded troops of Operation Fansan Yamma of the Nigerian Army over their success in tackling banditry in the area.

This is contained in a statement in Gusau by the Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fansan Yamma, and Lt. – Col. Abubakar Abdullahi on Thursday.

Abdullahi said the commendation was highlighted during a visit to the command on Wednesday, by the community representatives, led by Junaidu Muhammad, the Vice Chairman of Shinkafi local government council.

“The delegation conveyed their gratitude for the relentless efforts of troops and emphasised the positive impact of the operation on local safety and security.

“The delegation appealed for continuation of the ongoing operation in Fakai and other localities, underscoring the importance of sustaining the momentum gained against criminal elements.

“They noted that the operation has significantly reduced the fear of attacks and violence, allowing residents to go about their daily lives with greater peace of mind,” Abdullahi stated.

Responding, the Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma Maj.- Gen. Oluyinka Soyele,  who received the community leaders, expressed gratitude for the recognition and support from the communities.

Soleye emphasised the commitment of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in maintaining a strong presence in the criminals’ identified hideouts.

“The theatre commander acknowledged that community cooperation is essential for the success of the operation.

“He reassured residents that their safety remained a top priority throughout the operation.”

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