Tinubu addresses NASS, says “legislature represents our consciousness for freedom and sense of belonging”

● Commends NASS for “ringing out” the latest national anthem: “Nigeria we hail thee”

President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Assembly for collaborating with the Executive to build a united Nigeria.

Addressing the joint sitting of the National Assembly after he signed the bill that reintroduced the old National Anthem: “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” into law, on Wednesday, Tinubu congratulated the legislature on Nigeria’s unbroken 25 years of democratic governance.

He said: “The Legislative house both sides, colleagues and friends, old and new, to every Nigerian, I say congratulations on 25 years of unbroken democracy.

“Out of respect, I have come to say thank you very much for building, up to this stage,
the institution, and for building the country.

“You are the first and foremost leaders that speak for our people. And you have been in the forefront of this struggle.

“This institution– the hallowed chambers– represents our consciousness for freedom and sense of belonging, you rang out the latest national athem, Nigeria we hail thee.

“You see, this is our diversity. representing all characters and how we blend together to be brothers and sisters.

“Without this house, probably, I might not have found a path to the presidency. I started off from here. And that is why I have given that respect this morning to you.

“So, please, continue to collaborate, work together, build our country. We have no other choice. It is our nation. No one, no aid, no other institution or other personality will help us. Except we do it ourselves, no amount of aids that may be coming from foreign countries or any other nation [will do it]. They take care of themselves first.

“Let us work together as we are doing to build our nation, not only for us but for generations yet unborn.

“Charting a new path, the question of programme for development, I submitted the last budget to you, and you expeditiously passed it. We are walking the talk. I will soon bring year 2024 appropriation bill; that is just for your information.

“But we must not risk this democracy built by this nation so that the future of our great grand children will be sure of prosperity, development and progress.”