Atiku, in his New Year message, said meaningful change would not happen automatically, stressing that Nigerians must take decisive action through the choices they make.
The former Vice President said the country could turn its challenges into an opportunity to rebuild national hope, strengthen its institutions and improve the living conditions of its citizens.
In the message released as 2018 drew to a close, Atiku said: “As 2018 comes to an end and 2019 beckons, on behalf of my family and I, let me wish you and your family a very happy New Year in advance.
“In 2018, we became the world headquarters for extreme poverty. However, I am convinced that in 2019, if we chart a new course, we can become the world headquarters for hope and extreme devotion to the cause of lifting our people out of poverty.
“2019 is as yet a blank page. As a nation, we must not settle for whatever it brings. Rather, we must take collective action, through our choices, in making it a year where we revive national hope, with visionary leadership that sees our economy and institutions working again as they did in our golden era.”
Atiku said he believed the country could enter a new chapter in which Nigerians would enjoy greater peace and prosperity.
He also spoke about the challenges facing young Nigerians, saying purposeful leadership could create more employment opportunities for youths and strengthen the country’s response to terrorism.
“We can chart a new course and open a new chapter that sees every Nigerian living in peace and prosperity with their neighbour. It can be the year when our youths finally get a job instead of being unfairly tagged as lazy,” he said.
According to him, the desired changes would require action at different levels of society and leadership.
“But it will not just happen by itself. We have to make changes from the top all the way to the bottom,” Atiku said.
He argued that Nigeria already possessed the vision required to become a leading nation, but needed leadership capable of translating that vision into reality.
“What we lack and what 2019 can provide is the leadership that has the capacity to translate that vision into reality,” he said.
The PDP presidential candidate also called for a leadership that would be inclusive, saying Nigerians should move away from division and sectionalism and embrace unity and patriotism.
“In 2019, Nigerians need a leadership that is 100% for 100% of Nigerians, 100% of the time. We have seen where division and sectionalism has led us to. Now let us try unity and patriotism,” he said.
Atiku further urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the difficulties confronting the country.
“Don’t lose heart and hope. Nigeria is no stranger to overcoming difficulties,” he said, recalling the country’s response to the Ebola outbreak as an example of national resilience.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians could overcome poverty, disunity and other challenges through collective effort.
“But more importantly, in 2019, I want Nigerians to know that it is possible to have a leadership that is compassionate and that this does not equate to weakness. A leadership that is bold but not domineering. A leadership that is intelligent, but not arrogant,” he added.
Atiku concluded by expressing hope that the country would achieve greater unity, faith, peace and progress.
“Once again, I wish you all a Happy New Year and may 2019 be the year of Nigeria,” he said.
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