The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has narrated to Nigerians resident in the United States that despite all obstacles thrown on his way, he refused to be stopped from becoming the President of Nigeria during the last elections.
The ECOWAS who spoke in a Presidential Townhall Meeting with Nigerians in the Diaspora organised by the Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, last night in New York, he affirmed that his presidential campaign was gruesome but his determination enabled him to emerge victorious.
According to him, many Nigerians outside the shores of the country can as well achieve the same feat.
While noting the abundant potential of Nigeria, Tinubu said: ‘Sincerely, we don’t have any reason to be poor. We are just poor in some leadership areas.
‘That is what I harped on during my campaign. It was a very gruesome campaign but I won the election. If I hadn’t thrown myself into it with strong determination and resolve, I wouldn’t have won.
‘There were so many hurdles on my way that would have stopped me. I refused to be stopped. Many of you here who are contesting elections can do the same.’
He appealed to the Nigerians in Diaspora to forget the frustrations with previous leaderships and return home to deploy their expertise, saying Nigeria is home for business opportunities saying: “We need you back home, Nigeria has arrived.”
He also urged Nigerians living in the United States to overcome setbacks by adopting a new mindset that would enable them to succeed in all of their endeavours.
Tinubu added: ‘I want to give you a measure that will resonate with you. I was once a Diasporan. What you have been through, I have been through it. A change of mindset is necessary.
‘Take it this night that Nigeria is home for business opportunities.
‘Also, anywhere you stay, there is always going to be an opportunity in it, and in everything you do, there is always going to be an opportunity if you know how to search and put your mind to it.’
However, the President said he was pleased with how Nigerians have remained exemplary in their conduct and how they had continued to do well in their country of residence.