Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was on Monday, May 29, 2023, sworn-in as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in a colorful ceremony laced with tight security. CHIKA OKEKE highlights the expectation of Nigerians in the next four years.
Nigerians have persistently expressed dismay over the State of the Nation during the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari's regime.
It was an administration dotted with many challenges such as hardship, over-bloated exchange rate, hike in food prices and prolonged industrial action, which dilapidated the economy.
But as President Bola Tinubu mounted the saddle, Nigerians are optimistic that the new APC-led Federal Government would revamp the economy.
Below are their reactions:
Mr Ayeni Toyin Stephen, Businessman, Abuja
This is a government that is known for transparency, accountability and productivity. The government is focused and know what to do at the right time. He is the government of the people, for the people and by the people.
The government has invited investors to come to Nigeria so that there will be enough employment opportunities for Nigerians. He is knowledgeable and capable of steering the affairs of this country.
I want him to focus more on providing quality education, electricity and unemployment. The rate of unemployment is alarming and I believe that the new government will address the challenges confronting Nigerians perfectly.
Pastor Josephine Ehis Ibhaguezejele, Senatorial Leader, APC Edo Central, Edo State
I am optimistic that President Bola Tinubu will transform this country especially with the challenges and petitions from various groups. He will surprise them and make the country great. He promised that he will bring in investors that will help to transform the country for the benefit of all Nigerians. We know that by God's grace, he will fulfill his promises.
We have oil in this country and we are surprised that they will sell our crude oil unrefined and we will buy at a higher price when it has been refined. The President promised that he will fix all the refineries that have been moribund for years. If there is enabling environment, individuals can build a refinery that will serve the nation. What stopped the government from fixing the existing refineries that broke down all these years. We believe that Tinubu will touch these areas.
I believe that the masses will benefit from the government and the economic crisis will reduce.
Based on the tight security witnessed during his inauguration, you will know that Tinubu is ready to secure this country. If the army, police, civil defence and airforce are strategically positioned, the country will be in safe hands.
Mr Abdullahi Mohammed, Niger State
I am optimistic that Tinubu will perform. He had said that we should count on him. He has given us his words. He has done it before and he will still do it again. We believe with Tinubu, Nigeria will change. He had a working system in Lagos State and he can do it in Nigeria.
Already, he had put up a very good team by choosing Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice-President.
Nigeria doesn't have any working system. There is policy somersault. There is breakdown of law and order. Anybody can do anything the way he wants. There are no checks and balances. We need a system that will address it immediately by putting the right people at the right place.
Nigerians also need quality education and there is the need to retrain the teachers.
Hon Hakeem Bisiriyu, Supervisory Councillor for Lagos Island
I am not doubting the capacity of Asiwaju to rule Nigeria. When he was the governor of Lagos State, I was the Supervisory Councillor and Vice Chairman for Lagos Island between 2020 to 2023 and I know what he did. When former President Olusegun Obasanjo siezed the allocation of Lagos state, he ensured that the 57 Local Government Areas in the state lived fine. We had a programme with students about two years ago at Onikan stadium and Tinubu promised Nigerians free education from primary to university level. He also promised that there will be electricity.
Lagos state generate their light. In my local government, we are using our light. The General hospital, High Court and some parastatals are using Lagos state light. I believe that he will do better as the President, let us all support him.
I want him to focus more on electricity and education. There are some families that have intelligent children and are unable to enroll them in schools.
I know that Buhari tried his best to fix Nigeria but the governors were part of the major problems in the country. For instance, during the COVID-19 era, the Federal Government released money to state governors and local governments, what did they do with the money and who did they use the money to feed.
Mrs Felicia Iyabo Afun, Lagos State
Tinubu had done what a President will do in the past and now that he is the President, he will revist every sector of the economy like health, education and security.
Security is one of the most important areas that he must address, though God is the biggest security officer. While killings were going on in different parts of the country, former President Muhammadu Buhari was silent. The new President will do better in the area of security.
He is ready to create jobs for Nigerians given the kind of contacts he is making internationally. He is a businessman and economist. Definitely, there will be changes in Nigeria, renewed hope. We are hopeful that he will fulfill his promises by God's grace.
Mr Ibrahim Alabi, Ifakojaiye, Lagos State
With the support of Nigerians, President Tinubu will transform the country the way he did in Lagos. He made sure that he provided employment opportunities for Lagosians.
He started his politics from the grassroots and with that, we was able to grasp the challenges confronting the rural population.
During his tenure, he raised many people in Lagos that are currently occupying big positions in the country. Nigerians should support him to utilise his god-given talent.
Hon Mercy Uboh, One Man, One Vote, Benue State
I want the new government to focus on good governance. This is why we have One Man, One Vote organisation that enlightens Nigerians to vote for credible candidates.
We are much concerned about the women and youths, which are the group that are very special in building Nigeria. We are appealing that the new government should not ignore the demands that will empower the women and youths.
Hon Andrew Ogra, National Coordinator, One Man, One Vote Africa
I want the President to focus on market women and youths. Many youths are unemployed and are roaming the streets.
Tinubu should address employment, education and security crisis in the country.
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