By Ayomide Otitoju
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, saying the country’s period of sacrifice is nearing an end and that better days lie ahead.
Tinubu spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary on October 1, 2026.
Represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, at the Independence Day Jumat prayer held at the National Mosque, Abuja, on Friday, the President said Nigeria was not yet where it should be but was on the path to greater development.
He said the 66th anniversary marked Nigeria’s maturity as a nation, despite the challenges and missed opportunities recorded since independence.
“This 66th anniversary, by all accounts, signifies that Nigeria has come of age. Nigeria has become mature, even though when we reflect on the journey, from Independence to date, we would say it was a misfortune,” Tinubu said.
The President acknowledged the challenges Nigeria had faced over the years, while thanking God for sustaining the country and its citizens.
He urged Nigerians not to lose hope, saying peace and development were gradually returning to the country.
“My message to the country on behalf of Mr President is that people should not lose hope. Peace is coming back to this country. Development is coming back to this country. Things will get better as we progress in this democracy,” he said.
Tinubu also urged Nigerians to focus on the direction of his administration, saying it was addressing past mistakes and missed opportunities.
“Citizens should look at the focus of the government of today: that the mistakes of the past, the cumulative mistakes and missed opportunities of the past, are being corrected in this particular administration,” he said.
He added, “And I want to categorically make it clear that Nigeria is on the right path.”
Abbas also appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu for another term to enable him to complete his administration’s programmes.
He said Nigerians had made significant sacrifices for the country’s progress and that the difficult period was nearing an end.
Dignitaries at the prayer included Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago; Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo; and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, among others.
