Tinubu said the National Assembly's support will help him overhaul the economy.

 

On Thursday, December 20, 2023, at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu attends the Colloquium Lecture in Honor of Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the occasion of his 61st Birthday Celebration. State House/Nosa Asemota photo

With the backing of the National Assembly, which is led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration's efforts to reform Nigeria's economy are beginning to show results.

During a symposium held on Thursday in Abuja to celebrate the Senate President's 61st birthday, President Tinubu stated that the legislative and executive branches will work together to evaluate the nation's problems and develop workable solutions for the benefit of all Nigerians.

"It is sufficient for me to succeed, and we will succeed, to have Senate President Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honorable Abbas, on my side," he declared.

President Tinubu praised the Senate President's leadership qualities, stating that the Chairman of the National Assembly has consistently demonstrated a dedication to the country's development. This dedication began when the Chairman was a commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, where he studied Lagos in depth, created a plan, and carried it out as an Executive Governor for two terms.

"I have faith in Sen. Godswill Akpabio as a person. It's true that God has a plan for his life. He was a commissioner, and from 1999 to 2007 I served as Lagos State's governor.

He was incredibly curious about what was happening in Lagos as a commissioner. At the time, I was unaware of his desire to become a governor. He significantly changed Akwa Ibom as governor, the President said.

President Tinubu recalled how some of the social and economic initiatives started by Senator Akpabio during his time as governor helped to develop the state, pointing out that the drainage system he built helped to save many lives and means of subsistence.

The Senate President praised President Tinubu for his visionary leadership in his speech, pointing out that it was most recently displayed in the caliber of the decisions made to guarantee enhanced security and a revitalized economy.

"You are the first President to publicly declare that you thought a senatorial president like me could make a difference.

The National Assembly is not an extension of the executive branch, per se. The first person to get it correctly is President Tinubu. Senator Akpabio remarked, "Mr. President, you have visited no nation where investors have not hurried to meet with you."

"We did not come for a boxing bout," the Senate President said, assuring the President that the National Assembly will collaborate with him to transform the nation. Our mission is to change Nigeria.

Thanking the President for clearly outlining his economic agenda for the National Assembly and straying from what he called "impulsive programmes," the Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed gratitude.

Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), the keynote speaker, commended the president for his bravery and effort in guiding the country toward progress and recovery through creative ideas and for designating capable individuals to oversee national issues.