President Bola Tinubu is presently at the Eagle Square in commemoration of the the 2024 June 12 Democracy Day celebration.
Nigeria is celebrating 25 years of uninterrupted Democracy in the country since 1999.
The parade has as its theme: “25 Years of Enduring Democracy: Prospects for the Future.”
Earlier as part of the activities for the celebration a public lecture and symposium held at the Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa.
The president also had a nationwide broadcast in which he assured Nigerians that he would not turn his back on them.
The president stated that he understood Nigeria’s economic difficulties, saying the reforms initiated by his administration were intended to create a stronger and better foundation for future growth.
He said: “There is no doubt the reforms have occasioned hardship.
“Yet, they are necessary repairs required to fix the economy over the long run so that everyone has access to economic opportunity, fair pay and compensation for his endeavour and labour.
“As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.”
President Tinubu further vowed to protect Nigerians’ rights and freedoms, saying: “I was among those who took the risk to midwife the birth of our democracy. I am now a direct and obvious beneficiary of the fruits of those historic efforts.
“As president of this nation, I am morally and constitutionally bound to preserve this precious form of governance. I vow to do my utmost best to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria.
“Even more than that, I pledge to do whatever is necessary to cement democracy as our way of life.
“Although the challenges are steep and multiple, I am grateful to lead Nigeria at this moment in her history and point in her democratic journey.
“I come before you also to declare that our most important work remains before us. This real test has never been whether we would rise to challenge the slings of misfortune and grievous pain of dictatorship.
“The real test is whether we shall lower our guards as the shadow of despotism and its evident physical danger fade.
“I say to you here and now that as we celebrate the enshrinement of our political democracy, let us commit ourselves to the fulfilment of its equally important counterpart, the realisation of our economic democracy.”
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