In these moments of vulnerability, I stand before you with a heart weighed down by the burdens of my past mistakes. My intentions were never to deceive you, my fellow countrymen and women, but rather to chase dreams of education and success that I believed would one day serve our nation. As a young man, I grappled with the challenges of being in a foreign land, far away from the warmth of our homeland. Various hardships, though not excused, pushed me to make decisions I deeply regret today. These moments of weakness and confusion do not excuse my actions, and I accept full responsibility for the misguided choices I made.
I owe you, the people I deeply respect and am honored to serve, an apology. I made mistakes in my youth, and I have learned profoundly from them. During my time in university, there were misunderstandings, personal errorsand missteps. I take full responsibility for not being as careful and disciplined as I should have been with my records.
I extend my sincere apologies. I apologize for not being completely honest about my academic records. In my youthful eagerness and ambition, I misrepresented certain aspects of my past. I deeply regret these actions and understand the hurt they have caused. It was a misguided attempt to present myself in a certain light, one that I thought was necessary for success.
I acknowledge my flaws openly, as former American President Bill Clinton did. In doing so, I hope to demonstrate not only my commitment to honesty and transparency but also my dedication to serving this developing nation. I am not perfect, but I am dedicated to making a positive impact on Nigeria.
I want to be transparent with you. My past does not reflect the leader I aspire to be. I am committed to rectifying my errors and proving to you that I am worthy of your trust. I promise to be more open, more honest, and more accountable. I understand the importance of integrity and vow to uphold it in all my actions.
During my time abroad, I made decisions that I deeply regret today. The choices I made, especially in relation to my academic records, were misguided attempts to project a certain image, one that I believed would pave the way for my aspirations. As a young man navigating the complexities of a foreign land, I grappled with personal challenges, various hardship, and homesickness, some of which led me down a regrettable path. These experiences, however, do not excuse my actions, and I take full responsibility for the mistakes I made during that time.
It is important to acknowledge that the University of Chicago has confirmed my presence on their campus for the specified duration, attesting to my physical presence during those years.
While this might not absolve my past errors, it underscores the fact that my intentions were never to deceive my fellow Nigerians but rather to secure a future that would enable me to contribute significantly to our nation. I did spend full years at the University of Chicago; I completed my degree program with success, even in the face of challenging conditions.
I want to share with you the vision I had when I represented our beloved Nigeria at the New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris. There, we secured nearly $14 billion of pledges from Indian investors. India’s Jindal Steel and Power have committed to investing $3 billion into Nigeria’s steel sector, and Indorama Corp plans to invest an additional $8 billion to expand its petrochemical facility. These investments signify a future of economic cooperation and growth.
At the United Nations, I urged for proactive measures to address our nation’s poverty, security issues, and the illicit extraction of our resources. I called for the UN to become a proactive coordination center, emphasizing the urgency of addressing poverty and security and fighting against those who exploit Africa’s vast mineral wealth.
In my recent Independence Day speech, I laid out our economic reforms, our commitment to shared costs for a shared future, our relief measures, and our dedication to inclusive appointments. We are expanding our social safety net, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring the safety of our people remains a top priority.
Our commitment to democracy and the rule of law is unwavering. Inclusive appointments, considering the diverse tapestry of our nation, will be the norm. Women, youth, and the physically challenged will find their voices represented in the decisions that shape our country’s future.
While I do not condone my past actions, I did learn valuable lessons from America’s economic, democratic, and commercial spirit, which I came back with to my native home.
In the face of challenges, I ask for your understanding and your enduring faith in Nigeria. Let us move forward together, learning from the past, embracing the present, and shaping a future where every Nigerian can thrive.
I also want to address the ongoing legal battle. My political opponents have taken this matter to the courts, and it is now in the hands of our esteemed judiciary, from the appeals court to the Supreme Court. I respect this process; it is the cornerstone of our democracy. Whatever the final verdict may be, I will accept it with grace and dignity. Let us allow the legal system to work, and in the meantime, let us not allow personal mistakes to cloud our vision for a stronger, more united Nigeria.
Meanwhile, I want to invite my esteemed colleagues, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to share their visions and commitments for our great nation. Together, united in our purpose, we can build a brighter future for Nigeria.
I remind you again, fellow Nigerians, I apologize for the mistakes of my past, especially regarding my academic records. Just as we are transparent in our governance, I must be transparent in my personal life. I made errors in my youth, and I own up to them. My commitment to leading this nation to greater heights remains steadfast, but it is essential that I start this journey of transformation with honesty and humility.
With humility and dedication,
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
Advice-giver: Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA; and a former interim associate dean and assistant professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings. In 2011, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. He has taught at various universities and colleges including Florida memorial University, Florida International University, Broward college, Lynn University, and a contributing faculty member at the Weldios university in Benin Republic, Nexus International University, Uganda, Nova Southeastern University and Walden University in USA.
I want to emphasize that I write to the president solely out of my moral duty for our young nation. I have no personal relations with you, Atiku Abubakar, or Peter Obi. My commitment is to the collective well-being of Nigeria.
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