ABUJA, MAY 29, 2024*— President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, inaugurated the National Assembly Library and Resource Centre, a facility now named in his honour.
Before the inauguration, President Tinubu attended a commemorative sitting of the National Assembly, delivering extemporaneous remarks to mark the occasion.
Earlier that day, President Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill, 2024, into law at the Presidential Villa. His visit to the National Assembly was a gesture of respect and a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Nigeria's unbroken democracy. He expressed his gratitude to the lawmakers for their efforts and sacrifices in strengthening the country's democratic institutions.
"Our friends, old and new, to every Nigerian I say congratulations on 25 years of unbroken democracy. Out of respect, I have come to say thank you very much for building up this institution to this level. You are the foremost leaders who speak for our people and have been at the forefront of this struggle," President Tinubu said.
President Tinubu highlighted the National Assembly's significance, calling it a "hallowed chamber" representing the nation's collective consciousness for freedom and solidarity.
"You sang out the latest national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’. This is our diversity, representing all people and how we pledge together to be brothers and sisters. Without this House, I probably would not have found a path to the presidency, I started it all from here. That is why I have given that respect to you this morning to continue to collaborate with you to build our country together. We have no other choice. No other institution or personality will help us, except we do it ourselves for ourselves. No amount of aid from foreign countries can help us. Let us work together to build our nation, charting a new path," the President stated.
Emphasizing the importance of preserving and strengthening democracy for future generations, President Tinubu concluded, "We must nurture our democracy so that our children and great-grandchildren will be assured of prosperity, progress, and development."
Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded the President's visit as a mark of respect for the National Assembly. He remarked, "Before you arrived, Mr. President, the Speaker and I had explained to the lawmakers that this visit is what is called 'waka pass' in Nollywood. You intend to celebrate Democracy Day on June 12, but out of honour and respect for the National Assembly you said you must pass through the National Assembly on your first anniversary."
Commending the President for reinstating the old national anthem, Akpabio said, ‘‘Though we may belong to different tribes, though we have different tongues, in brotherhood we stand.’’
"There is no more fitting place to take us back to our genealogy other than the National Assembly, which is made up of patriotic and elected citizens of Nigeria. The voice of the National Assembly is the voice of Nigeria, so we welcome you," Akpabio added.
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