By Chidi Ugwu

Copyright independent

ABUJA – The Minister of Information and Na-tional Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, highlighted the remarkable progress made under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and called for national unity and collective participation under the theme ‘All Hands On Deck.’

Addressing a press conference on Monday, to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Idris described this year’s anniversary as a milestone symbolised by the sapphire gemstone, representing loyalty, trust, nobility, and wisdom—qualities he said define the Nigerian spirit.

He urged Nigerians to reflect on the nation’s journey, the pres-ent achievements, and to unite behind the renewed purpose of national repositioning.

The minister praised Presi-dent Tinubu as a committed and visionary leader dismantling obstacles to national progress through the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, which focuses on eight priority areas aimed at prosperity, peace, and unity.

Highlighting the govern-ment’s economic reforms, Idris noted increased trade surplus driven by the non-oil sector, eas-ing inflation, a strengthening currency, and growing foreign reserves—all signals that Nigeria is on the right path.

“From January 2026, the implementation of four new tax laws is expected to expand Nigeria’s revenue base while simplifying tax collection and re-ducing burdens on citizens and businesses.

“The administration is rein-vesting revenue gains into health, education, infrastructure, agri-culture, energy security, youth empowerment, and national security.”

Idris emphasised achieve-ments in education, with over half a million tertiary students benefiting from the National Ed-ucation Loan Fund, and invest-ments in regional development through the establishment of five new regional development commissions.

“Infrastructure projects in-clude flagship highways such as the Sokoto-Badagry Superhigh-way and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside major rail projects like the Kano-Kaduna standard gauge rail.

“In the energy sector, the gov-ernment has revived the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant and is pro-gressing with the Siemens Pres-idential Power Initiative and a smart metering rollout aimed at closing the country’s metering gap by 2027.

“Nigeria is also home to one of the world’s largest renewable ener-gy projects, the World Bank-sup-ported DARES project, expected to deliver off-grid electricity to over 17.5 million Nigerians.

“The oil and gas sector has seen increased production meet-ing OPEC quotas, a 16-year low in losses, and significant new in-vestments exceeding five billion dollars, with ongoing projects like the AKK Gas Project and frontier basin exploration.

“Solid mineral investments in-clude a $50 million lithium plant in Abuja and a $600 million pro-cessing plant in Nasarawa.

“Healthcare improvements include rehabilitating over 1,000 primary health centers and com-missioning three advanced on-cology centers, with three more nearing completion”, he said.

Minister Idris stressed the government’s commitment to balanced development, equita-ble project distribution across re-gions, and empowerment of local governments through fiscal rein-tegration and financial autonomy.

According to him, President Tinubu’s administration is also supporting subnational infra-structure projects such as light rail systems in Kano and Kadu-na states and has established a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

He said agricultural financing has received a historic boost with the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture.

Minister Idris captured Ni-geria’s 65-year journey as one of resilience, leadership, and unity, noting Nigeria’s pioneering role in African liberation movements and regional integration through ECOWAS.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s global commitment to peace, democracy, and justice, highlighting contri-butions to UN peacekeeping and agreements with the African Union.

He called on all Nigerians and international partners to support the ‘All Hands On Deck’ agenda to consolidate reform gains and build the Nigeria of their dreams.

He expressed confidence that the administration is working inclusively for all Nigerians and urged continued belief in the na-tion’s future.

“Happy Independence Day, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Also, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), spoke at the press conference, emphasis-ing the significance of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day.

He urged Nigerians to view the anniversary not as a mere ceremony but as a moment for re-flection, resilience, and renewed commitment to national unity, peace, and progress.

Akume highlighted the im-portance of this milestone in acknowledging the nation’s jour-ney since 1960, marked by both successes and challenges, with the Nigerian spirit continually rising to pursue a greater destiny.

Centering his message on the theme, ‘Nigeria at 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,’ the SGF stressed that national development is a collective re-sponsibility that goes beyond government alone. He called on all Nigerians—youth, elders, public servants, entrepreneurs, professionals, farmers, teachers, military personnel, artisans, and those in the diaspora—to unite in purpose and collaborate to build a stronger, more united Nigeria.

Akume underlined that na-tional progress depends on the ac-tive involvement of every citizen in harnessing Nigeria’s diversity for shared growth.

Akume also praised the lead-ership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ongoing Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving transformative economic re-forms across the country.

He acknowledged that while some policies have been bold and challenging, they have already begun to ease inflation, attract foreign investment, create jobs, and bolster social protection for vulnerable groups.

These achievements, he said, indicate that the administration’s vision is making steady progress toward sustainable national de-velopment.

In his role as SGF, Akume re-affirmed his office’s commitment to coordinating effective policy implementation and fostering cooperation among ministries to turn the president’s vision into concrete outcomes for Nigerians.

He commended the Federal Executive Council for its dedica-tion to advancing policy execu-tion for the nation’s benefit.

Additionally, he provided up-dates on the 65th Independence Day celebrations, including the conclusion of religious services for peace, the National Campus Debate finale on September 30, and the Presidential Broadcast on October 1, praising the media’s role in shaping a positive national narrative.

Closing his remarks, Akume appealed to all Nigerians to set aside divisions and work together to build a nation where opportuni-ty triumphs over despair, unity re-places discord, and peace prevails.

He expressed confidence that with shared responsibility and collective resolve, Nigeria’s best days are ahead.

“At 65, Nigeria is still a work in progress. But with renewed hope and all hands truly on deck, a greater, stronger, and more prosperous Nigeria awaits,” he concluded, ending with a patri-otic call: “Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless Nigeria.”