Tinubu Says Nigeria Must Use History To Drive National Renewal
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that Nigeria must use the lessons of its history to drive national renewal, warning that failure to learn from the past could lead the country to repeat its mistakes.
Tinubu spoke at the Daily Times of Nigeria’s centenary celebration in Abuja, where he unveiled The Nigerian Grand Book. He was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The Daily Times, founded in 1926, marked its 100th anniversary on June 26.
The president’s remarks were contained in a statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Tinubu said the Daily Times had recorded Nigeria’s political, social and democratic development from the colonial period and independence struggle through the Republic and subsequent democratic periods.
He said The Nigerian Grand Book would preserve institutional memory, document the contributions of Nigerians to national development and give the country an opportunity to tell its history from its own perspective.
“A nation that forgets its history risks repeating its mistakes. But a nation that understands its history can draw wisdom from its successes, learn from its setbacks and confidently design its future,” Tinubu said.
He linked the lessons of history to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the reforms were aimed at addressing structural weaknesses that had accumulated over decades and changing Nigeria’s economic trajectory. “History should not be a museum of yesterday. History should be an instrument for engineering tomorrow,” he said.
Tinubu also said the media had a responsibility to inform the public, hold government accountable and preserve national memory. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom, saying journalists should be able to criticise or attack him without fear of government reprisal.
He urged Nigerians, schools, libraries and institutions to embrace The Nigerian Grand Book and use the record of the country’s past to inform its future. The centenary programme also featured the Times Heroes Awards, which recognised Nigerians for contributions to national development.