First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu, saying he is not a magician.
She made the appeal on Sunday, October 1, in her remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary Inter-denominational church service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The wife of the president said while the administration is not laying blame on any administration its primary purpose is to fix what is damaged.
She said: “We just came back from UNGA ‘78, it was really successful for us as a nation. The world awaits Nigeria and investors in our team. We came back with good news and all we inherited are things that have happened many years ago. We are not here to put blame on any administration but to fix what is damaged.
“My husband is not a magician; he is going to work brick by brick and I believe and hope that you will have faith in this administration. The best is yet to come for us.”
Addressing the congregation, she expressed gratitude to God for enabling her to celebrate the country’s Independence Day anniversary at the National Christian Centre as the First Lady as something no one would have ever imagined, saying the occasion was a testimony on its own.
She said: “I bring you warm greetings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Today, as we gather to praise and worship God, let us remember God’s faithfulness and love to us.
“These words remind us that hope is not just a phrase but a spirit that resides in each and every one of us. It is hope that transcends many challenges and uncertainties of the present. A hope that is deeply rooted in love and sacrifice, this is all what the love of Christ signifies. As a nation, we need to recognize that Christ being in us would only be exemplified by his nature or embodied in the food of the spirit which is love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith and neatness, against such there is no love.”
She quoted Galatians: 5 verses 22- 23 which says good governance can only be impactful. The faithful follow the example of Jesus Christ, who taught about forgiveness when they are offended and to forgive one another and be patient with one another.
The first lady asked Nigerians to celebrate the unity that defines their diversity, adding there is no challenge, obstacle or difficulty that cannot be overcome or surmount if they imbibe the nature of Christ who says in Matthew 11 verses 28- 29, ‘come onto me all ye that labour and heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you and you shall find rest to your souls’.
“In times like this all we have to do is to keep our hope alive. The lively hope which Jesus Christ has birthed in us.
“The Nigeria of abundance has begun. If we do not have hope, how do we become part of this greatness that God has started in our nation? The bible says it is not what we see, but because when we see how we hope for it.
“Our hopes and expectations will not be cut short in Jesus name. My prayer for Nigeria is that Nigeria will rise out of the ashes of despair and despondency in Jesus name,” she said.
Also, in speaking at the service, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has appealed to Nigerians to moderate their expectations noting that solutions to complex problems confronting the country at this time can never be as instant and prompt.
Akume’s remarks were in response to the lecture by the guest minister, the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev Dr Israel Akanji that Nigerians were tired of the unfulfilled promises in the past being rehashed again by the present administration.
Akume said that President Tinubu had only done four months of the 48 months mandate given him by Nigerians on May 29, 2023 to transform the country and should be given enough time to implement his Renewed Hope agenda.
“I have listened to the very inspiring statement by the Rev Dr Israel Akanji. However, I want to observe one thing. I believe most of you listened to the broadcast of Mr. President this morning. The statement of hope, not only that the major inputs in place were spelt out in that statement.
“This government was sworn in on May 29 2023. Nigerians gave President Bola Tinubu 48 months to transform Nigeria. He has done four months. Solutions to complex problems can never be as instant and prompt in this time. But major programmes,” Akume said.
The SGF said that the government is considering mass funding of vehicles that can use CNG while reforms were being taken to yield greater results in the financial sector to ensure the growth of the economy on a scale that has never been known before.
