President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday concluded a working visit to Owerri, Imo State, where he joined Governor Hope Uzodimma to commission three major infrastructure projects: the Owerri–Mbaise–Umuahia Interstate Road, the Assumpta Twin Flyover, and the 6,000-capacity Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre.
The visit, which underscored the administration’s commitment to connecting communities, also featured the presentation of Governor Uzodimma’s new book, A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria.
Projects Symbolize ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Tinubu described the new infrastructure as “more than brick and mortar,” asserting they are “symbols of progress, resilience, and a shared commitment to unity.”
He stated that the projects represent the “Renewed Hope Agenda in action,” which aims at “connecting communities, shared prosperity, opening new frontiers of opportunity, and showing that no part of Nigeria will be left behind.”
President Rejects Religious Persecution Narrative
In a significant political statement, the President directly addressed claims of religious persecution in the country, branding them a “lie from the pit of hell.”
“There is no religious persecution in Nigeria,” President Tinubu firmly declared.
“Our churches, mosques, and the Nigerian people of all walks of life, will keep standing side by side, not as rivals but as pillars of the unity that binds us.”
He emphasized that Nigerians must define themselves, not outsiders, and vowed that his government would “stand together, protect every citizen, and prove that our diversity is not our weakness, it is our greatest strength.”
Economic Gains and Rebuke of Past Administration
President Tinubu used the platform to highlight positive economic trends, citing data that suggested the nation was “turning the corner.”
“With steady reforms, our economy is turning the corner: growth at 4.23 per cent in Q2, inflation at its lowest in three years, external reserves at 42 billion, and exports surging,” he noted. He concluded that these were not just “abstract numbers,” but evidence that “Nigerians are producing, competing, and building a nation of pride and purpose.”
The President also fired a broadside at past administrations, specifically targeting those who he said “wasted sixteen years.” He challenged critics who “parade themselves as prophets of solutions” to recall the “broken promises, the broken power plants, the broken roads and the attempts to usurp democratic institutions using corrupt practices and subterfuge.”
“APC may not be perfect, but we are purposeful,” he asserted, adding that his party “will not allow Nigeria to return to the wasted years of drift.”.
President Tinubu concluded his remarks with a rallying cry for the future, stating, “The last decade was a time of change. The coming decade will be one of renewal and stability. Together, Nigeria will win.” He ended with a message in the Igbo language: “Nke anyi ga-eme, ga-adi mma” (“What we do together will endure in goodness”).
Anthony EMEKA NWOSU
