Nigerians better, stronger together, says Buhari at Tinubu colloquium

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, disclosed that Nigerians are better, stronger together at the 12th Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Colloquium which took place in Kano.

Buhari chaired the event virtually to mark the 69th birthday celebration of the previous two-term Governor of Lagos State.

The President emphasised the strength in Nigeria being a unified country with its variety of ethnicity, culture, language and religion.

According to state house press release, Buhari said, “Despite occasional inter-ethnic tensions in our national history, it seems to me that we have all agreed on one point that, notwithstanding our diversity of ethnicity, culture, language and religion, Nigerians are better together; even stronger together.”

The President lauded Tinubu for always being a supporter of solidarity and unity in Nigeria.

He said, “This has been a constant factor in his outstanding political career, from the time he served in the short-lived senate of the Third Republic to his involvement in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate of the late Chief MKO Abiola, to his much-acclaimed period of service as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

“The ranks of Asiwaju’s political collaborators, whether as party members, comrades in the struggle, members of his cabinet, or his advisers, assistants and political associates, have always reflected a pan-Nigeria attitude.

“I believe all of us here can also confirm that the same outlook of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other like-minded Nigerians eventually made possible the coalition of four political parties into what we now see as our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”

President Buhari added that the goals of the colloquium, which seeks to offer answers to national issues, also replicate the personal principles of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in supporting the union and well-being of the nation.

He said, “I think this Colloquium is a fitting reflection of the service that Asiwaju has given, not only to Lagos State, but to Nigeria and Africa; as well as his continuing commitment and influence, as one of the great pillars of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Equally, I salute all those who have kept this Colloquium culture alive and thriving, making it a rich source of wisdom in our common quest for a better world and, of course, a greater Nigeria.

“Today’s event promises an even more relevant and impactful discussion than ever before. The theme for this 12th edition, “Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth: The Imperative of National Cohesion for Growth and Prosperity” speaks to a very contemporary, but potentially ruinous trend, which, in my view, we must all join hands to check at once.”