-Deborah Akinyosoye
President Bola Tinubu has said he is aware of the harsh economic situation of the country, and he begged Nigerians to endure what he described as “unintentional hardship”.
Also, President Tinubu noted thay he does not take pleasure in inflicting pains on Nigerians. He assured that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
Tinubu said this at the 48th convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
He said he had embraced both the assets and liability of his predecessors.
The President was represented by the Special Adviser on Economy, Office of the Vice President, Tope Fasua.
He assured that his reform policies were aimed at making Nigeria works for everyone.
However, he added, the pains that come with the reform must be endured in main time.
“I am not unaware of the harsh economic situation of our country, neither do I take pleasure in inflicting pains and anguish on my compatriots.
“However, we were faced with the stark reality of results of some policies hitherto executed by past administrations, but which had no direct positive impact on the generality of our people.
“We have gladly accepted the assets and liability of our heroes past without any intention of apportioning blames or pointing an accusing finger at any individual or group of people.
“As we are trying to fix, reconfigure and correct past mistakes and errors, we implore all Nigerians to cooperate with us, endure this unintentional hardship so that, like the graduates of today, we all can celebrate and be celebrated at the end of the day.
“I am certainly seeing the light at the end of our tunnel,” he added.
The Chancellor
In his address the Chancellor of the University, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, stressed that the backbone of every nation is its investment in education, which will drive its developmental drive among competing global world.
Also the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Siyan Oyeweso charged the 977 postgraduates to deploy the knowledge to continue to build a nation full of opportunities for the coming generation.
Highlight of the event is the conferment of honourary doctorate on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola and Daere Afonya-A Akobo.