Reverend Patrick Ampani, a Canadian-based Nigerian priest, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take more decisive actions to alleviate the hardships facing Nigerians. His comments came in response to President Tinubu’s speech during the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

Ampani expressed gratitude that the President acknowledged the struggles of ordinary citizens, stating, “I am personally grateful that you are aware of what the common citizens are experiencing under your watch. I am happy that you are giving the nation some hope, and I hope you will follow your words with actions.”

The priest encouraged the President to draw inspiration from the legacy of Nigeria’s founding fathers. “We commemorate the legacy of the founding fathers, which you generously alluded to in your eloquent speech, as we celebrate our freedom, our history, our heroes, our heritage, and our prospects,” Ampani added.

In his Independence Day speech, President Tinubu reflected on the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers, who chose democracy as a pathway to create a nation that could lead Africa out of poverty and underdevelopment. “Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realizing the lofty dreams of our founding fathers,” he said.

The President also highlighted the Nigerian spirit, noting the nation’s intellectual capacity and industriousness across various fields. “The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it,” he remarked.

Reverend Ampani, who also serves as a chaplain with the Canadian Armed Forces, previously told NAN that national development requires the collective effort of every citizen. “National development is a generational endeavor. Every generation engages in collective cooperation and collaboration in nation-building,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of individual contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, stating, “Everyone should get involved and meaningfully busy in contributing to the socioeconomic development of the nation. This is critically important because much of the future of Nigeria will depend upon our individual and collective selfless commitment to nation-building and stability.”