Nobody is bigger than Nigeria — Tinubu
Nobody is bigger than Nigeria — Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to national unity and collective progress, declaring that “nobody is bigger than Nigeria, including myself as President.”
He made this statement on Sunday while receiving a Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa in Abuja from a delegation of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents, led by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on governance and leadership, Tinubu reiterated that power is a temporary trust from God, emphasising the importance of humility and service to the people.
“I’m just a custodian of your trust. It is only Almighty Allah that gives power. He says, ‘If I give it to you, you must use it in the righteous way. You must be humane. You must follow my teachings.’”
Reflecting on the just-concluded Ramadan fasting and the ongoing Lenten season, Tinubu emphasised the values of discipline, tolerance, and shared responsibility in building a prosperous nation.
“We started with prayers. We end with prayers. We committed ourselves with discipline and faithful supplication, learning the teachings of Allah. Such discipline instills understanding, sharing, and partaking in family values that bring us together as one family,” he said.
President Tinubu praised Minister Wike for his transformational leadership in the FCT, acknowledging his efforts in infrastructure development, civil service reforms, and urban renewal projects.
“I must thank the Honourable Minister of the FCT. When we started, he came up with a lot of good ideas to liberate the bureaucracy and bring forward-looking, progressive thinking to the administration,” Tinubu stated.
He specifically highlighted Wike’s role in resolving long-standing issues related to property rights, revitalising abandoned projects, and improving public services such as healthcare and education.
“The health centres are being rehabilitated. The health facilities of the residents of the FCT are being upgraded. Our teachers at school are being rehabilitated, and buildings are furnished. Thank you, Wike,” he added.
The President urged Nigerians to prioritise national unity over personal ambitions, calling on citizens to embrace peace, harmony, and inclusivity regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
“We must continue to abide by the lessons of Ramadan. We must continue to share and remember the less privileged, the widows, and the have-nots, believing that we can share both in joy and in times of need. And we can believe that Nigeria is greater than any one of us – including myself as President,” he declared.
Tinubu also highlighted Wike’s ability to work effectively in the heart of northern Nigeria despite being from the South, calling it a testament to the strength of Nigeria’s diversity.
“Surprisingly, Nyesom Wike is not from the North. He’s from the southern part of Nigeria. And his ability to work in the centre of the northern part of Nigeria is bearing fruit. That is a very good reflection of our diversity that we must use for our prosperity,” Tinubu said.
After the event, Minister Wike spoke with reporters, expressing gratitude for the President’s recognition of his work.
When asked how he felt about being called “Mr. Infrastructure” by Tinubu, Wike responded, “I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me. If your boss, in public, says that you are doing well, that is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job you’ve been assigned.”
He assured FCT residents that his administration would continue executing transformative projects, promising that the next phase of development would be even more ambitious.
“The committee is working, and you can be assured it can’t be less than what we did last time,” he stated.
