As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), praised the nation’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit amidst global challenges.
In a post on X.com on Tuesday, Okonjo-Iweala stressed that despite the difficult times, Nigerians should appreciate being “one of the most interesting countries in the world.”
She wrote, “Though times are tough internationally and nationally, we should appreciate that we are from one of the most interesting countries in the world with some of the most exciting and entrepreneurial people in the world! I certainly appreciate and thank God for this!”
During his Independence Day broadcast, President Bola Tinubu also spoke on the state of the nation, stating that the economy was undergoing necessary reforms and retooling to serve the people better and more sustainably. He assured Nigerians that his administration was implementing measures to reduce the cost of living.
Tinubu remarked, “We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse.”
He noted the precarious situation Nigeria faces, attributing it to missed opportunities and past mistakes while urging citizens not to carry these mistakes into the future.
He reiterated the importance of reforming the political economy and defence architecture, explaining, “The economy faces many headwinds and security highly impaired upon my assumption of office.”
The President also shared that since taking office, the government has made significant strides, including attracting over $30 billion in foreign direct investments and reducing the debt service ratio from 97% to 68%.
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“Thanks to the reforms, our country attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30bn in the last year,” he added.
The President further elaborated on upcoming initiatives aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector and improving food security. He commended several state governors for their commitment to agricultural production, noting, “I commend the governors particularly, in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest Governors that have embraced our agricultural production programme.”
Tinubu also addressed security concerns, stating that the administration is winning the war on terror and banditry, revealing that over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders had been eliminated in the past year.
“Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism,” he declared.
In his address, the President acknowledged the impact of recent natural disasters, promising relief to victims affected by flooding.
He announced a 30-day gathering of youth to discuss their challenges and opportunities, stressing the need to include young voices in nation-building.
Tinubu concluded by recognising the achievements of the past 64 years, saying, “Despite the many challenges that buffeted our country, we remain a strong, united, and viable sovereign nation.” He reiterated the commitment to address the hardships faced by Nigerians, assuring them that their struggles are heard and solutions are being sought.
He announced the conferral of national honours, including the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, alongside other notable recipients.
As Nigeria reflects on its journey since gaining independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of its people continue to shine through, according to both Okonjo-Iweala and President Tinubu.
