By Iyiola Olalere
The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has applauded the third anniversary speech of President Bola Tinubu as it encapsulated the sacrifices, hopes and expectations of the vast majority of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Chukwudi Enekwechi and Secretary Segun Ogedengbe, it noted that the President also emphasised the achievements of his administration in three years.
It said: “We note that the president had in the speech acknowledged his position as the president of the country, but also as a fellow citizen who understands the sacrifices many Nigerian families have made in recent years based on the economic reforms his administration embarked on.
“While he shared his hopes for a better Nigeria, he also acknowledged the several difficulties the country was facing on his assumption of office.
“They included fiscal pressures, unsustainable fuel subsidies, declining revenues, exchange rate distortions, debt-servicing costs and insecurity.”
The group maintained that the President had every reason to be emphatic on the impact of his reform programme.
“While the president acknowledged that his administration took a courageous and difficult decision to address those problems by initiating several reforms he noted that they have gradually started yielding positive results.
“We concur with the president’s position on the resultant effects of his visionary leadership as it has led to a more competitive economy well-positioned for sustainable growth than it was in 2023. Also, public finances are improving with more resources reaching the states and local governments.
“Similarly, the investor confidence in the Nigerian economy has increased significantly, while the stock market is witnessing a boom with the All Share Index rising from 53,000 and market capitalisation of 30 trillion in 2023 to a record-high All Share Index of 250,000 and market capitalisation of 160 trillion this year
“We also note that as part of the Renewed Hope agenda of the Tinubu administration, many infrastructure projects are ongoing leading to over 2,700 kilometres of highway almost at completion stages. They include the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, Sokoto-Badagry super highway, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, the East-West road and other inter-state road projects.
“The federal government is also diligently executing most of the railway projects. The rail modernisation projects are meant to improve connectivity, logistics and ensure economic integration across the country.
“Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria has witnessed significant progress in the agriculture, education and housing sectors. For example, over 1.5 million students have benefitted from the Nigerian Education Loan fund while in the housing sector, 10,000 housing units have been delivered across 14 states of the federation.
“We therefore applaud the president for using the occasion of his administration’s third anniversary to connect with the challenges facing the Nigerian people and reassure the populace of a future full of hope and joy, TMV added.
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