President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to reinforcing democratic institutions, emphasizing that this effort is crucial for safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and fostering stability throughout the West African sub-region.
The President made these remarks in Abuja during the 28th-anniversary commemoration of the passing of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, an event centered on the theme: “The Union We Hope to Become.”
Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented President Tinubu at the event.
In his tribute to Yar’Adua, the President lauded the late soldier and politician as embodying conviction, patriotism, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to national service that transcended personal interests.
President Tinubu emphasized that the gathering served not only to honor Yar’Adua’s memory but also to engage in critical reflection on issues of justice, unity, accountability, and leadership. He further noted that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda draws inspiration from the very values that the late general championed.
“Our late compatriot, from the solitude of prison, without the certainty of tomorrow or the guarantee of justice, wrote letters holding us to responsibility by stressing that Nigeria must be governed by institutions stronger than individuals, principles, values, and justice,” the President stated.
“These convictions shaped the core of our efforts today to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold transparency, and build trust between government and citizens.”
He continued, “As we put this powerful civic anthology, ‘Letters To The Union We Hope To Become,’ witness a new generation answering that same call. These writings echo the spirit of widening access to education, expanding economic opportunities, securing our nation, creating equal opportunities, empowering our youth, sustaining our leadership in the region, and restoring dignity to public service, to build a nation where every citizen matters, where no man is suppressed.”
President Tinubu outlined key drivers of the government’s economic and governance reforms, including:
Youth Empowerment: Initiatives designed to equip young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.
Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Programs aimed at fostering the growth and development of SMEs, which are vital to the Nigerian economy.
Infrastructure Improvement: Investments in infrastructure projects to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and enhance the overall quality of life.
Social Protection: Measures to protect vulnerable populations and ensure that all citizens have access to basic necessities.
“Our administration’s pursuit of economic stabilisation, energy reform, food security, digital innovation, and social justice must therefore be anchored in the values we celebrate today,” the President affirmed.
“Permit me to mention that today, this administration is deliberately strengthening the institutions that safeguard our democracy, not just in our home, but also in our sub-region.
“Every aspect of this renewed opportunity is designed to build a nation, a union that is fairer, more secure, more prosperous, and governed by citizens’ trust,” Tinubu concluded.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also addressed the gathering, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in their advocacy for transparent governance and institutions that prioritize the needs of citizens.
He encouraged Nigerian youths to respond to the nation’s challenges not with anger, but with a firm determination to bridge the divisions that exist through constructive dialogue rather than silence.
Atiku emphasized that Yar’Adua’s life served as a powerful demonstration that democracy is sustained not only by elections but also by robust institutions, unwavering integrity, and citizens who are willing to take action.
Atiku stated, “When the political tides turned dark, and the cost of conviction seemed unbearable, Shehu would remind us that every generation must pay its price for freedom.
“He never asked others to take a risk that he himself was unwilling to bear. He led from the front, fearless, thoughtful, and deeply humane.
“When men such as Shehu walk the earth, they leave footprints that endure. Though he departed too soon, the weight of his vision continues to whisper through our history and our hearts: a vision of Nigeria where service outshines ambition, and integrity conquers expedience.
“To speak of General Shehu Musa Yar’adua today is to address the ideals that still define our struggle for a just and united Nigeria. He was among the first to grasp the hard truth that democracy is not sustained by elections alone but by institutions, by integrity, and by citizens who care enough to act.
“In the movement we built together, Shehu taught us that leadership must never become an instrument of privilege; it must remain a vessel of service.”
He advocated for a unity founded on dialogue, empathy, and fairness, asserting that Nigeria’s diversity “is not a curse but its greatest blessing.”
“So, to every young Nigerian listening today, let me say this: You are not powerless. You cannot be spectators in your own nation’s story. You must be the authors, the dreamers, the doers, and the builders of a new Nigeria,” he concluded.
