President Bola Tinubu has emphasized that Nigerians are not alone in facing poverty, acknowledging the widespread suffering but urging collective action to tackle the nation’s challenges.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President made these remarks in Lagos on Monday, June 17, while welcoming a delegation from the National Assembly during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. He highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as banditry and terrorism to ensure food security and improve infrastructure.

“Yes, there is poverty; there is suffering in the land. We are not the only people facing such, but we must face our challenges. We must find a way to eliminate banditry and terrorism so that farmers can bring out food from the farmland. If you do not have good roads to bring the food to the population, even if you grow the food and you are losing 60-70 per cent to damages, you will pay the price,” Tinubu stated.

President Tinubu also called for a shift in the mindset of citizens, urging them to move away from rent-seeking behaviors and contribute more productively to the economy. He stressed the need to combat smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage, such as the theft of rail tracks and electric cables, which undermine national progress.

“We must embrace the campaign to change our value system. We must tell our people that the challenge we face is for all of us to change our mindset about our country,” the President added.

By fostering a change in attitudes and values, President Tinubu believes that Nigeria can overcome its current difficulties and achieve sustainable development.