Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has declared that the myriad challenges confronting Nigeria did not originate with the current administration.
He, however, said President Bola Tinubu had embarked on bold, necessary reforms to steer the nation towards prosperity.
Akume made this known yesterday at a special interdenominational service held to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day Celebration at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.
Addressing a congregation that included the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, service chiefs and other top government officials, the SGF said nation-building is a collective responsibility.
“Each Nigerian has a role in building the Nigeria that we deserve,” he said, calling for a unified national effort.
He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to transforming the nation, pointing to decisive policies such as the removal of the fuel subsidy as examples of the government’s resolve to tackle long-standing issues.
Akume appealed for public understanding and support for these reforms, acknowledging their initial difficulties but expressing optimism about the outcome.
“The President needs the support of every Nigerian. What President Bola Tinubu is doing today could have been done 39 years ago. But I believe that at the end of the tunnel, there is light,” the SGF said.
Akume highlighting the importance of institutional harmony, also called for seamless cooperation among the three arms of government, stating, “We must always cooperate, the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary.”
Reflecting on the significance of the anniversary, he said the day was not merely a celebration of freedom from colonial rule but also a solemn occasion to honour the nation’s founding fathers who fought for its independence.
The church service, filled with prayers and hymns for the nation, provided a spiritual backdrop to the official independence theme, “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” setting a tone of reflection and renewed commitment as the country marks its 65th anniversary.
