Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emphasized that 2020 symbolizes a significant time, indicating the need to strive for a better future for Nigerians.
In his New Year message, Atiku highlighted the arrival of a new decade and urged unity to confront the common enemy of insecurity in Nigeria.
Atiku disagreed with the notion that 2019 was a successful year for Nigerians, stating that a false sense of victory is created by such reductionist sentiments. He pointed out that Nigeria is still grappling with economic instability, resulting in job losses, increased out-of-school children, and families struggling to access basic necessities. He called for renewed determination to combat insecurity, extreme poverty, and insufficient investment in education.
Atiku stressed the need for recalibrating approaches and making tough choices in order to achieve a better and prosperous future. He urged the government to reconsider policies that contribute to extreme poverty and to promote an expansion of the economy. At an individual level, he called for greater empathy and sacrifice in the pursuit of positive change.
Atiku also emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting citizens’ democratic rights. He urged for a change of attitude and greater adherence to democratic fundamentals in the new year and new decade.