Dr. Michael Nwoko, South-South Coordinator of Contact and Mobilization of the City Boy Movement and Convener of the Youth Structure for Asiwaju (YS4A), has called on Nigerians to demonstrate greater patriotism and support the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
Nwoko, in an Independence Day message, congratulated Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, describing October 1 as an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers, the resilience of Nigerians and the nation’s aspirations for greatness.
He said Nigeria had endured civil war, military rule, economic crises and other challenges since independence in 1960, but had remained united despite the difficulties.
According to him, the country is currently at a “critical and defining intersection” in its national development, arguing that the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, although painful, were necessary to reposition the economy for long-term prosperity.
Nwoko listed the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms, tax reforms, the student loan scheme, infrastructure projects, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, the new minimum wage, oil and gas reforms, growth in external reserves and the 3 Million Technical Talent programme among the major achievements of the administration.
He particularly described the removal of fuel subsidy as a difficult but necessary decision, claiming that it had freed trillions of naira for allocation to the three tiers of government.
On foreign exchange, Nwoko said the unification of the forex market had reduced opportunities for arbitrage and was helping to restore investor confidence.
He also highlighted the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), consumer credit initiatives and youth empowerment programmes, saying they were designed to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
On infrastructure, he cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and rehabilitation of roads and bridges across the country as projects capable of supporting economic growth.
Nwoko also pointed to the Presidential CNG Initiative, the N70,000 national minimum wage and social investment programmes as measures aimed at cushioning the effects of economic reforms on Nigerians.
He further claimed that reforms in the oil and gas sector had attracted billions of dollars in investment and contributed to an increase in crude oil production, while asserting that improved external reserves, declining inflation and the clearance of forex backlogs were signs of economic recovery.
Describing the reforms as “foundational,” Nwoko said Nigeria could not achieve sustainable development by maintaining systems he described as ineffective.
“These reforms are not cosmetic; they are foundational. They are the difficult surgery required to cure a long-standing disease,” he said.
He called on Nigerians, particularly citizens in the South-South region, to exercise patience and support the government, stressing that nation-building required contributions from both government and citizens.
According to him, patriotism should extend beyond celebrating Independence Day to supporting locally made goods and services, paying taxes, protecting public infrastructure, performing civic duties and rejecting divisive narratives.
Nwoko also urged Nigerians to maintain confidence in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he described as a blueprint for building a competitive, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
“The temporary pains we feel today are the birth pangs of a new Nigeria that will be competitive, prosperous and inclusive,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and work collectively towards national development, declaring that “Nigeria must be our first project.”
He concluded by wishing Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary and calling for continued commitment to the unity and progress of the country.
