Nigeria: PM Dion Ngute, world leaders grace Tinubu’s swearing-in.

PM Dion Ngute, who represented President Paul Biya at the inauguration in Abuja, yesterday, was conspicuous amongst global dignitaries who answered present at the high level ceremony.

The Head of Government had joined no fewer than 20 presidents of countries around the world, including Africa, to witness the inauguration staged at the Eagle Square in Nigeria’s political capital, Abuja.

Tinubu’s inauguration marked the 7th consecutive democratic transition of power in the 24 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, following the return to civilian administration in 1999.

Besides the no-nonsense delegation from Cameroon led by PM Dion Ngute, other delegations to the epoch-making ceremony included that from India, led by the country’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.

Similarly, a delegation from the Canadian government was represented by the Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion, Ahmed Hussen as head of delegation.

There was also a delegation from the United Kingdom, comprising the special envoy of King Charles. It was led by the Minister of State for Development and Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Andrew Mitchell.

The nine-man delegation from the United States of America, was led by US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge.

The Chinese government delegation was led by a Communist Party leader and Minister.

African leaders honour invitation

Rwanda was represented by the country’s President, Paul Kagame. Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, led a 10-man high-powered delegation to the event.

The Sierra Leonean and Liberian governments also sent delegations while South Africa was represented by its President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Also in Abuja was the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; President of the Republic of Congo Brazzaville, Denis Sassou Nguesso and President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Others included the President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye; the Transitional President of Chad, Mahamat Déby; the President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum; and President Nana Akufo-Ado of Ghana.

Oath taking proper 

Meanwhile, in his inaugural speech after the oath taking exercise, President Bola Tinubu, vowed that he will defend Nigeria from all forms of terror, as well as end extreme poverty in the country. 

“I will do that through job creation and food security and end to extreme poverty. I will ensure that corruption is tackled by strengthening anti-corruption agencies,” he promised. 

Earlier, Tinubu said his predecessor and former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had done his best for Nigeria.

“Permit me to say a few words to my predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. You have been an honest man and patriotic leader. Buhari has done his best for the nation,” Tinubu said.

Boosting growth, reducing unemployment

President Bola Tinubu said his immediate target is to ensure a higher Gross Domestic Product, GDP growth and significant reduction in unemployment rate.

He said his administration hopes to achieve these through budgetary reforms to stimulate the economy without engendering inflation.

“Our industrial policy will utilise the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency. Electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and tramission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well,” he said.

He assured local and foreign investors that his administration would review all complaints about multiple taxation and other “anti-investment inhibitions”.

“We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard-earned dividends and profits home,” he said.

Combating corruption

President Tinubu also promised that his administration will discourage corruption through the introduction of a credit culture. 

“Our government will continue to take proactive steps like championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies,” he declared. 

Tinubu also announced the suspension of subsidy payments on fuel, adding that such an era is gone. He said the 2023 budget made no provision for fuel subsidy and more so, subsidy payment is no longer justifiable.

Nigeria’s 16th president also promised a “unified exchange rate” and vowed to rid Nigeria of terrorism and criminality.

Journey to power

Tinubu won the February 25, 2023, presidential election, pulling 8,794,726 votes. Tinubu started out as a technocrat and a seasoned accountant.

During his sojourn abroad, he worked for American companies, Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, Haskins & Sells and GTE Services Corporation.

Upon his return to Nigeria in 1983, he joined Mobil Oil as an auditor, rising through the ranks to become an executive of the company.

He began to make inroads into the political Hall of Fame in 1992 when he was elected Senator, representing Lagos West Senatorial District in the short-lived third National Assembly.

He then joined forces with the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, a coalition of democrats demanding the military government led by General Sani Abacha, to step down for the acclaimed winner of the 12 June 1993 election, the late Chief MKO Abiola.

After four years in exile, Tinubu returned to the country in 1998 to contest the governorship election in Lagos, his home state. That was as Nigeria prepared for a transition to democratic rule.

A two-term Governor, Tinubu prides himself as the brain behind the transformation of Lagos from the doldrums to one of the largest economies in Africa.