Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Monday, at a world press conference, said Nigerians would soon know what went wrong at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), resulting in what brought the nation to where it is at the moment.
Akume, who hinted at the development, however, said reports of a recent investigation instituted into activities and operations at the CBN would be ready soon.
He also disclosed that the federal government has not invited any world leader to the country’s 63rd independence anniversary as part of a low-key celebration to depict the mood of the nation.
Applauding President Bola Tinubu’s action on the CBN, he said the decision led to massive deployment in the capital market as experts were unanimous that it was something that had never happened in the past 15 years.
“We have a new team at the CBN, and a special investigator has been at the CBN for some time now and his report will soon be released and Nigerians will know what really went wrong and what brought us to where we are today,” he said.
Justifying why no world leader was invited to the independence celebration, Akume reiterated that the decision was taken in line with the government’s option for a low-key celebration.
“Low-key celebration has nothing to do with whether we are not doing well. Economic times are hard. We are looking at it not just at the national level but also as a family. We have not invited world leaders. During the inauguration of the President, 53 world leaders were invited, so we have not invited any world leader.
“Time will come when we will invite all the world leaders to celebrate Nigeria. So, for now we don’t forget that during the inauguration of the President world leaders were invited,” Akume said.
He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu had given approval for the 63rd Independence Anniversary to be low-key in line with the present economic and security realities in the country defined by banditry and kidnapping.
The theme of the 63rd anniversary is, “Nigeria @ 63: Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity.”
The SGF also underscored the symbolism of the celebration at the time the country has witnessed an unbroken democratic record since 1999 as well as the seamless, successful and peaceful presidential transition programme from one government to another.
“Despite political tremors and a wave of coups in some parts of the ECOWAS sub-region, Nigerians have fully embraced democracy with its core values and practices as the best form of governance. Democracy affords the citizens the opportunity through elective structures and processes to effectively participate in the affairs of their country.
“The relationship between the people and government in representative democracy is symbiotic: while the citizens support the government, the government provides security, protects, and enhances their interests.
“The government is fully aware of the economic challenges that Nigerians are confronted with since the removal of the fuel subsidy as well as the impact of the global economic downturn.
“The government is working assiduously to provide the necessary palliatives so as to mitigate such challenges and also the provision of buses to ease hardship on transportation among others.
“At the same time, the government is engaging with labour in order to address areas of concern for the wellbeing of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally,” Akume declared.
On what the president was doing concerning delivery of projects that would restore hope, Akume said social budget in the supplementary budget, particularly what is given to the poor has been increased and provision for support also made for more buses while grains were distributed to reduce food cost.
He said many countries that also passed through the phase Nigeria was going through came out stronger because leadership was committed in the citizenry, which also appreciated what leadership was doing.
“That’s where we are today – leadership that is so determined and patriotic, knowing where to take us, with the full support from you, certainly the sky is the limit,” Akume said.
On national interest, Akume said, Nigerians have all agreed to live a peaceful, united, and prosperous country, despite its diversity, without which no nation can move forward.
The programme of activities lined up for the 63rd Independence Anniversary included anniversary symposium/public Lecture, scheduled for Thursday, September 28, 2023 at State House Conference Centre, lecture the following day at the National Mosque Conference Centre followed by Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque at 1pm.
There will be a presidential broadcast on Sunday, October 1, at 7am; inter-denominational church service on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the National Christian Centre at 10:00 am and military parade on Monday October 2 2023 at the Presidential Villa, at 9am.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
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