No amount of aid from foreign countries can help us — Tinubu charges Lawmakers
…Says commuters to enjoy free train rides on Abuja Metro Line until year-end
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged lawmakers in the federal legislative House on the importance of building the country together while noting that no amount of aid from foreign countries can help the country.
The President made this known on the occasion of his one year anniversary in office while on a visit to inaugurate the National Assembly Library and Resource Centre, which is named in his honour.
Before the inauguration of the library, the President had briefly attended a commemorative sitting of the National Assembly, where he made extemporaneous remarks.
Tinubu, who had signed the National Anthem Bill, 2024, into law at the Presidential Villa earlier on Wednesday, said he was at the National Assembly as a mark of respect, and to congratulate the legislators and Nigerians on the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s unbroken democracy.
He extended his gratitude to the lawmakers and acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices made to build and sustain the country’s democratic institutions.
“Our friends, old and new, to every Nigerian I say congratulations on 25 years of unbroken democracy. Out of respect, I have come to say thank you very much for building up this institution to this level. You are the foremost leaders who speak for our people and have been at the forefront of this struggle,” President Tinubu said.
Highlighting the significance of the National Assembly, President Tinubu referred to it as a “hallowed chamber” that embodies the nation’s consciousness for freedom and solidarity.
“You sang out the latest national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee.’ This is our diversity, representing all people and how we pledge together to be brothers and sisters.
“Without this House, I probably would not have found a path to the presidency, I started it all from here. That is why I have given that respect to you this morning to continue to collaborate with you to build our country together. We have no other choice. No other institution or personality will help us, except we do it ourselves for ourselves.
“No amount of aid from foreign countries can help us. Let us work together to build our nation, charting a new path,” the President stated.
President Tinubu also emphasised the need to preserve and strengthen democracy for future generations.
“We must nurture our democracy so that our children and great grandchildren will be assured of prosperity, progress, and development,” the President concluded.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the President’s visit was out of respect for the National Assembly.
‘’Before you arrived, Mr. President, the Speaker and I had explained to the lawmakers that this visit is what is called ‘waka pass’ in Nollywood.
‘’You intend to celebrate Democracy Day on June 12, but out of honour and respect for the National Assembly you said you must pass through the National Assembly on your first anniversary,” the Senate President said.
On Nigeria reverting to the old national anthem, Akpabio commended the President for taking the nation back to its roots stating: “Though we may belong to different tribes, though we have different tongues, in brotherhood we stand.”
“There is no more fitting place to take us back to our genealogy other than the National Assembly, which is made up of patriotic and elected citizens of Nigeria. The voice of the National Assembly is the voice of Nigeria, so we welcome you,’’ the Senate President added.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu announced that Nigerians and other commuters would enjoy free train rides on the Abuja Metro Line until the end of the year.
Tinubu made this declaration while flagging off the re-launch of commercial operations on the Abuja Light Rail.
“Our dear Landlord, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), I have heard you say there will be free train rides for two months. I want to appeal to you to make it until the end of the year. Let us give the people reasons to celebrate,” the President said before taking a 40-minute ride from the metro station to the airport station.
He described the operations on the Abuja Metro Line as a symbolic milestone of enduring progress as a country and in the FCT.
“As we gather to commemorate the first anniversary of my administration, we are also celebrating the fruits of collaboration, dedication, progress, and foresightedness.
“The Abuja Metro was inherited by my administration from my predecessor. It was first commissioned in 2018 for public use, but this was not to be. COVID-19 struck. The train service was abandoned, vandalised, disused, and abused.
“When we came into office, as part of my desire to have a functional and flourishing FCT with efficient public infrastructure and transportation systems that will serve the people who live and work within the city and the surrounding communities, I made a public request and a challenge to the Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“Then, I did not know that he would be able to deliver this project on time. I said, ‘Do not give me land, Mr. Landlord’. He gave me the assurance that I will be able to ride on the metro line, and I am very proud that today you delivered on that promise,” the President said.
Tinubu highlighted the significance of transportation in providing hope to the people and commended the completion of access roads to the various train stations.
“Transportation gives hope and access to various individuals and organizations. The access roads to the various stations have been done, and today, we are proud to say that you are truly serving the nation,” the President said.
President Tinubu, who described service to the nation as a critical element of the ‘new national anthem’ adopted and signed into law earlier on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to remain dedicated to the service of the nation.
Referring to the Abuja Metro Line as a symbol of unity and enhanced accessibility, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering on its promises.
“What we have in the FCT is another piece of evidence that we are a government that delivers on promises,” the President affirmed.
In his remarks, the Minister of the FCT recounted how the President’s directive at a public event in September 2023 spurred the FCT administration into action.
He noted that while the metro line was initially inaugurated in 2018, it lacked essential access roads and remained non-functional.
He said the project was actualised within nine months under President Tinubu’s administration.
He, however, disclosed that with the intervention of the President, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, and the Accountant General of the Federation, facilitated the payment of the contract sum of $30 million, which was previously unpaid, to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractors.
Barrister Wike also revealed that the construction of access roads cost N21.4 billion.
The Minister emphasized that the successful operationalization of the metro line is a testament to the reality and great possibilities of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We have given back renewed hope to the people. The Renewed Hope Agenda is real, working, and practical. This station stands as a promise made and a promise kept,” the Minister said.
In an overview of the project, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Transportation, Chinedu Elechi stated that the Abuja Metro Line has 12 trains with each having the capacity of carrying at least 700 passengers while making 14 trips per day.
He said Lot 1 and 2 of the metro line would run two trips simultaneously every day, thereby having a cumulative capacity of transporting 980,000 passengers monthly in the Federal Capital Territory.
“All the ancillary roads to the four train stations and car parks have been constructed and delivered, thereby making today’s launch of commercial operations of the metro line possible,” the Mandate Secretary stated.
Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; members of the Federal Executive Council and other dignitaries accompanied the President on the train ride.
