FORMER governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, has been officially sworn in as the President of Nigeria in an inauguration ceremony that took place on Monday, May 29, at the Eagle Square in the capital city of Abuja.
Thousands of Nigerians and several heads foreign of governments witnessed the inauguration as Tinubu took his oath of office after Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, do solemnly swear, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will discharge my duties and perform my functions honestly to the best of my abilities and faithfully, in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law.
“That I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the 5th schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That I will not allow my personal interest, influence my official conduct or my official decisions. That I will preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so help me God,” Tinubu declared.
At 71 years old, Tinubu steps into the role with a strong background in governance, having successfully governed Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, for eight years.
His leadership skills and experience in managing complex issues have garnered him a significant following, with many Nigerians looking to him for solutions to the pressing problems the country faces.
One of the central aspects of Tinubu’s agenda is to build upon the efforts of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, in delivering democratic dividends to the Nigerian people, as the country grapples with insecurity, widespread poverty, and hunger.
Tinubu recognised these challenges in his manifesto dubbed “Renewed Hope” and has pledged to address them head-on, promising to prioritize the well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians.
However, Tinubu’s ascendancy to the presidency is not without controversy. The legitimacy of his election is currently being contested in court by opposition parties, and many young Nigerians remain skeptical about his ability to bring about meaningful change.
Despite these reservations, Tinubu has vowed to bridge the divisions within the country, working towards unity and national cohesion.
His administration’s success will be measured by its ability to effectively tackle these pressing issues and leave a lasting impact on the lives of Nigerians for generations to come.