**Pledges relief from economic hardship
***Says June 12 sacrifices must inspire stronger, united nation
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will intensify efforts to ease the economic hardship confronting citizens while maintaining a firm stance against insecurity, declaring that the Federal Government will neither surrender to terrorists nor bandits.
The President also pledged that all persons held captive across the country would remain a priority for rescue efforts.
The assurances were conveyed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Sunday at the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
The service, themed “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams,” attracted dignitaries from across the country, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack.
He paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle and other pro-democracy activists, noting that many endured persecution, injuries and even death in the quest to enthrone democratic rule in the country.
According to him, President Tinubu remains committed to fulfilling his constitutional obligations and would “double his efforts” to ensure that the socio-economic difficulties facing Nigerians are substantially reduced through the delivery of sustainable democratic dividends.
Acknowledging the hardship confronting many households, the SGF said the administration was fully aware of the economic strain, insecurity, kidnappings and displacement affecting communities across the country.
“Government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” he said, adding that the President was addressing the challenges with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility.
On security, Akume stressed that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority of the Federal Government, describing recent attacks and abductions as painful reminders that more work still needs to be done
