The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has slammed Organized Labour over its recent protest, describing it as unacceptable.
While at the unveiling of the phase one Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line on Thursday 29th February 2024, the President took a jibe at the union, asking them to wait till 2027 if they want to contest at the poll.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tinubu said the labor congres, faulting the nationwide protest which was conducted earlier this week.
The President added that he was aware of the complaints being made over the economic challenges in the country and urged Nigerians to persevere, pledging that the nation would soon be out of the economic problems.
“I am assuring that Nigeria will be out of economic problems, we just need to persevere, work hard, and be assured,” he said.
He added that corruption has been the biggest enemy of our economy that must be tackled rightly with all hands.
“While the recent reformation will be backed and held onto, Smugglers will fight back, and corruption will fight back, but we will fight and win. Corruption will go away. The fight against corruption is on, we will not look back, we will fight it to ruins,” he added.
He, however, commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu for the power rail project, describing it as the confirmation of a true democratic government where citizens enjoyed the dividend of democracy
“Today is evidence that it’s good to dream and it is a serious validation of democracy by the people for the people, when you people at the center are focused, have vision and planning, you will realize the value of democracy.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was elected to lead Nigeria’s most populous state, the smallest in land mass, when all that existed here was suppressed and aborted potential, and when the dream began, my team and I toiled day and night to draft and implement a developmental vision that would transform Lagos into the economic powerhouse of Africa and a respected mega-city on a global state. We are realising that dream.
“I am pleased to declare to you that the momentum of greatness we kick-started a quarter of a century ago has since become unstoppable. It’s not a crime to dream and dream big, just stay focused, precisely make development a central focus,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his speech praised the two former governors of the state Mr Babatunde Fashola and Mr Akinwumi Ambode for the vision towards the construction and contribution towards the Blue Line rail
The governor also appreciated former President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the track-sharing agreement, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation for providing the necessary cooperation and support.
He added that; “The Green Line is a 71.49-kilometer route from Marina to the Lekki Free Zone, one of the fastest-growing industrial areas on the continent today, and also where we will be sitting the new Lagos International Airport.
“The Purple Line is a 54.35-kilometer line from the Redemption Camp to Ojo, near the Lagos State University. The final two lines will be the Orange and the Yellow Lines,” Sanwo-Olu added.
