Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, has conferred the President- elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the nation’s highest honor, as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR).
The investiture which took place at the State House Conference Center in Abuja, is part of a series of events lined up for the May 29 inauguration ceremony, while the Vice President- elect, Kashim Shettima conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON).
In his address, the President-elect who said he understand the meaning of the honor given to him today and of the task that awaits him, pledged to run the race and do it well. Tinubu said, “I must run this race and must do it well.
“On security, the economy, agriculture, jobs, education, health and power and in all other sectors we must make headway. The people deserve no less. In this, I shall disappoint neither them nor you, Mr. President”, he promised.
According to him, “Thank You, Mr. President, for bestowing the nation’s highest honors on my Vice President elect Shettima and me. Our deep thanks also for the transition documents and the committed work performed by the transition council headed by the SGF.
“The documents summarize the immense work of administration. They constitute an impressive and noteworthy scorecard. You have made history and no one can take your contribution to our nation’s development.
“Your devotion to progressive and democratic good governance is unassailable. As such, I stand here renewed not only in hope but also in dedication to our national purpose and destiny. I also feel full of pride but this pride I feel is not for myself. It is for what this moment represents”.
Tinubu noted that the occasion stately is a living evidence that Nigeria is a vibrant and true democracy. “All of us here bear witness to this inspiring proceeding where one leader bestows personal honor on his successor.
He hailed President Buhari’s courage in taking tough decisions others avoided. “One such decision was to recognize the injustice of annulment of the 1993 election, to designate June 12 as Democracy Day, and to bestow the nation’s highest honor on the late MKO Abiola.
“As much as anyone could, you reached back into history to set the record straight and heal a festering wound. The justice you did in this matter lends special meaning to today. I am a simple man who is the beneficiary of the support and goodwill of the people of Nigeria.
“The people have put their trust in us. You have done your part Mr. President. Now, that great duty descends on me. I understand the meaning of the honor given to me today and of the task that awaits. I must run this race and must do it well”, the President-elect said.