President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians at home and abroad to project a positive image of the country, urging them to abandon negative narratives that undermine national unity.
Gatekeepers News reports that the president made the appeal on Wednesday while speaking at the reopening and re-dedication of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos.
The newly refurbished 4,000-capacity facility, named after the Nobel Laureate, was reopened as part of ongoing efforts to promote cultural pride and national identity.
Tinubu said, “To Nigerians in the diaspora, stop talking about Nigeria in an ill, negative tone. This is a country of very brave, confident and dedicated people.”
He emphasised that Nigeria’s resilience is rooted in the sacrifices of past generations and the courage of its forebearers, urging citizens to remain hopeful about the country’s future.
Tinubu said, “We know what we are. It might not be because of education; there are a lot of educated relics around the world. It is about ourselves believing something we inherited from our parents, our great forebearers, a nation of brave people.”
“Let’s build it together; if you had a bad dream, forget it, this country will succeed. And it is with you, myself and many other people who might not be here that will enjoy the glory and reap the fruits.”
The president further called for collective responsibility in strengthening national pride, insisting that Nigerians must place their country above all else.
He added, “Please, lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria, put Nigeria first; that’s all I need to emphasise tonight.”
