President Bola Tinubu spoke Thursday night about the unquenchable spirit of Nigerians, their positive attitudes and self-belief that they can overcome all odds.
He spoke during Iftar in Abuja with members of the Nigerian business community, the presidency said.
Recounting his speech at the New York Stock Exchange when he visited in 2023, President Tinubu said Nigerians have the self-belief and determination to drive economic transformation from within.
”At the New York Stock Exchange, I appealed to foreign investors to consider Nigeria as a prime investment destination.
“At the end of my remarks, I told them we only want them to show their face and diversify Nigeria’s economy not as if we cannot do it ourselves.
“Tony Elumelu walked up to me and thanked me for making that statement. We can do it. Nigeria is a self-believer and can always deliver on its own. We know our first name and our last name. Our first name is: Spirit, and our last name is: Can do,” the president said.
Tinubu thanked members of the business community for their support and pledged to engage with them more frequently.
He said Nigeria’s economy is at a turning point and will require the steadfast support of the private sector for sustained growth and prosperity.
”I would have summoned you before now, not during Ramadan, because you are a very valuable part of my constituency.
”There is no driver of the economy that is bigger than the private sector. If the private sector is not flourishing, there is no growth, no prosperity, no employment or development. No matter how flowery the speeches are, not even a mushroom will grow.
”Thank you for persevering. We are at a turning point in our economy. I do not have to do a quadratic equation to illustrate all of that to you. I just want to appreciate you for your endurance and perseverance,’’ the President said.
“I have no reason to underperform as the elected President of the country because I campaigned for the job.
“I cannot complain about the job. I appreciate the gesture, and what you have told me this evening is very inspiring. Cut the costs. Fix the bends. Summon courage. Save the money, but push the economy. We will be there.There are some countries that have failed. There are some countries that have succeeded. In our time, in my time, all of us must work together to succeed. Thank you very much,’’ the President concluded.
In separate remarks at the Ramadan dinner, industrialists, bank executives, and entrepreneurs pledged their support towards the success of the administration’s economic programmes.
Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, who spoke first, assured the President that the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in the country is solidly behind him.
Other speakers were Allen Onyema, Air Peace chairman, Stella Okoli, CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson Motors, Tope Shonubi of the Sahara Group.