Marshall

When I walked into the hall yesterday and saw the young men and women of the City Boy Movement @CityBoyMedia, Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria @RelaxTIFN, and other youth groups gathered from across our country, I saw something that reminded me why I sought the presidency of this great nation. I saw Nigeria. I saw its energy, its courage, its determination, and the future we are working to build together. Many of you have stood with me through difficult moments. You have defended your convictions, carried our message into communities, and continued to believe in the promise of a greater Nigeria. I listened to your stories with immense pride and gratitude. You reminded me once again that the greatest strength of our nation lies in its people, especially its young people. There are words I do not say often enough, and yesterday, I wanted you to hear them directly from me. Thank you. Thank you for believing. Thank you for standing with me. I remain committed to building a Nigeria worthy of your faith, your sacrifices, and your aspirations. Together, we will deliver the future you deserve.

1/3 Dear Blessing, I watched your video and listened as you explained how your journey from Masaka to Berger in the FCT now costs ₦500 instead of ₦1,500. That is ₦1,000 saved every trip. I know what that means when you have a family to feed, bills to pay and other responsibilities waiting at home. I was equally pleased to hear from Ada and Abigail, who now pay ₦1,600 instead of ₦4,000 to travel from Enugu to Nsukka, saving ₦2,400 on each journey. I also listened to Kabir, a taxi driver who explained that ₦10,000 worth of CNG allows him to make three more return trips than his colleagues using petrol. He says he has no intention of going back to petrol. I have also received encouraging feedback from Borno, where some commuters are now paying as little as ₦50 per trip on CNG and electric vehicles. Your various experiences show what our investment in CNG transportation is intended to achieve. Lower operating costs for drivers should translate into more affordable fares for passengers, leaving families with more money for their everyday needs. When we removed the petrol subsidy, I knew the decision would bring difficulties for many households. With that decision came a responsibility to provide practical alternatives that would ease transportation costs. Your stories show this is already happening, and I want more Nigerians to experience these benefits.

In my several decades of very close relationship with Dele Alake @AlakeDele, I have known him as a steady hand, a forthright, upright, loyal, and committed ally.   He is straight and unequivocal. You always know where he stands on issues.   On the occasion of his 70th birthday today, October 6, I rejoice with him, his immediate family, friends, and associates. I celebrate with him for the grace of joining the Club of Septuagenarians.    In his professional and public service life, Dele has built a reputation for hard work, excellence, and an unquenchable thirst for delivering results. At the heart of all his human endeavours is the quest for equity and social justice.   In journalism, where he devoted most of his professional working life, he excelled beyond measure as a frontline journalist and editor. He courageously used his pen to confront the ills and malaise that plagued our country.   During Nigeria's darkest hours under military rule, he was a journalist of conscience who fought on the front lines against dictatorship and abuse of human rights, and for the restoration of democratic governance.   In public service, his creative and enterprising spirit served him well as my Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State for 8 years. He redefined government information management and became a clear example of political strategy and public communication.   In unfamiliar and uncharted territories, Dele has an inexhaustible capacity to function and deliver results effectively. It is no wonder that his work as Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals continues to draw local and global admiration, earning the trust of his colleagues across the continent as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).   On his 70th birthday celebration, my prayer for Dele is that the Almighty grant him more years in good health as he continues his service to God, country, and humanity in general.   Happy birthday and many happy returns to my confidante, brother, and buddy. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria October 5, 2026