Tinubu: I Will Keep Working for Nigeria, Not Engaging in Blame Games

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that Nigeria works for everyone rather than engaging in blame games.
Speaking at the 48th convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, he said he has embraced both the assets and liabilities of his predecessors.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economy, Office of the Vice President, Tope Fasua, the president said his reform policies were aimed at making Nigeria work for everyone, adding that the pains that come with the reform must be endured at the moment.
He noted that he was not unaware of the harsh economic situation of the country, neither was he taking pleasure in inflicting pain and anguish on his compatriots.
Tinubu said the country is faced with the stark reality of the results of some policies hitherto executed by past administrations but which had no direct positive impact on the generality of our people, adding however, that he has gladly accepted the assets and liability of the past without any intention of apportioning blames or pointing a finger at any individual or group of people.
“Fellow Nigerians, I am not unaware of the harsh economic situation of our country, nor do I take pleasure in inflicting pain and anguish on my compatriots. 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. We have gladly accepted the assets and liability of our heroes’ past without any intention of apportioning blame or pointing an accusing finger at any individual or group of people.”
The president implored all Nigerians to cooperate with him to endure this unintentional hardship so that all Nigerians can celebrate and be celebrated at the end of the day.
“As we are trying to fix, reconfigure and correct past mistakes and errors, we implore all Nigerians to cooperate with us, to 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 and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, stressed that the backbone of every nation is its investment in education, which will drive its developmental drive among the competing global world.
Also, the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Siyan Oyeweso charged the 977 post-graduates to deploy the knowledge to continue to build a nation full of opportunities for the coming generation.
The highlight of the event is the conferment of honorary Doctorate Degrees on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe; MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola; and Daere Afonya-A Akobo.