President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian youths to remain in the country and contribute to its development, saying Nigeria’s future belongs to those who stay to solve its problems rather than those who abandon it.
Tinubu made the appeal in his Democracy Day address, his fourth since assuming office in May 2023, amid sustained emigration trends that have seen many young and skilled Nigerians, especially in technology, healthcare and academia, relocate abroad in search of better opportunities.
“To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here,” the President said.
“Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”
The President said the dividends of democracy must now translate into tangible economic benefits for citizens, especially the youth.
According to him, democracy must be felt not only in political freedoms but also in the economic wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians.
“Democracy must be felt in the pocket,” Tinubu said.
He pointed to some of his administration’s initiatives, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the National Agricultural Development Fund’s planned deployment of 10,000 tractors over five years, and the certification of over 1,000 small and medium enterprises for export.
Tinubu said the initiatives form part of efforts to expand domestic opportunities, support enterprise, improve productivity and create a stronger economic base for Nigerians.
He added that the present generation has a duty to secure prosperity for the country, just as previous generations secured independence and democracy.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.
The President also announced plans to confer national honours on a broad category of Nigerians who played roles in the June 12 pro-democracy struggle and the wider resistance against military rule.
According to the Presidency, the proposed awardees include journalists, activists, academics, legal practitioners, public figures and military officers whose contributions were described as instrumental to the democratic governance Nigeria enjoys today.
The Presidency said many of them endured persecution, detention, exile and other forms of repression during the struggle for the restoration of democracy.
Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.
Among the civilian democracy activists, journalists and public figures listed for recognition are Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Arthur Nwankwo, who will be honoured posthumously, Dr Osagie Obayuwana and Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin.
Others are Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi, who will also be honoured posthumously, George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
The President also listed several military officers described as “soldier-democrats” for recognition.
They include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier General Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin and Major General Joseph Oshanupin.
Others are Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, the Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom; Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus; Colonel J. Okai; Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze; Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu; and Brigadier General Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, CFR.
Tinubu said the recognition of June 12 heroes was meant to honour the courage, sacrifice and resilience of those who stood for democratic governance during Nigeria’s most difficult political moments.
He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to see democracy as a responsibility that requires active participation, patriotism and commitment to national development.
The President said voting, working, building businesses, creating solutions and defending democratic values remain essential to Nigeria’s progress.
According to him, the future of Nigeria will not be secured by despair or flight, but by citizens who believe enough in the country to help build it.
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