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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that the next chapter of Nigeria’s history must be written with “courage, unity, innovation and patriotism”, as he hailed the Daily Times of Nigeria for chronicling the country’s political, social and democratic evolution for a century.
The President spoke at the centenary celebration of the Daily Times in Abuja, where he formally unveiled The Nigerian Grand Book, a compendium aimed at preserving the country’s historical and institutional memory.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the 100-year-old newspaper as one of the most enduring witnesses to Nigeria’s national journey.
He said the publication had documented the personalities, defining events and aspirations that shaped the country from the colonial era through the struggle for independence, the birth of the Republic, years of nation-building and the evolution of contemporary democracy.
“Through the colonial era, the struggle for independence, the birth of our Republic, the challenges of nation-building and the transformations of our contemporary democracy, the pages of the Daily Times have captured the personalities, events and aspirations that have shaped our national journey,” Tinubu said.
He described the Daily Times’ century-long survival as “a testament to endurance, relevance and institutional resilience.”
“It is a great honour and privilege to join you today as we celebrate a remarkable milestone in the history of Nigerian journalism, and indeed in the history of our nation, the centenary of the Daily Times of Nigeria,” he added.
The President said the unveiling of The Nigerian Grand Book was particularly significant at a time Nigeria was seeking to confront longstanding structural challenges and chart a new course for national development.
According to him, a proper understanding of history was critical to building a better future.
“A nation that forgets its history risks repeating its mistakes. But a nation that understands its history can draw wisdom from its successes, learn from its setbacks and confidently design its future,” he said.
Tinubu said many of Nigeria’s present challenges did not emerge overnight but were rooted in structural weaknesses accumulated over decades.
He said national renewal, therefore, required Nigerians to understand the country’s past, confront the factors that had held it back and make difficult but necessary choices about the future.
The President linked the importance of history and institutional memory to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the reforms being implemented by his government were designed not merely to change policies but to alter Nigeria’s development trajectory.
“The reforms of the present administration are therefore not simply about changing policies; they are about changing the trajectory of our nation,” he said.
“They seek to build a stronger fiscal foundation, create a more productive economy, strengthen institutions, unlock investment, improve infrastructure, expand opportunities for our young people and position Nigeria to compete more effectively in the global economy.”
Tinubu said history should not merely be preserved as a record of the past but should serve as a guide for shaping the future.
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“History should not be a museum of yesterday. History should be an instrument for engineering tomorrow,” he said.
“That is why a publication such as The Nigerian Grand Book is so important. It gives us an opportunity to tell our story from our own perspective; to celebrate Nigerians who have contributed to our progress; to preserve the institutional memories of our nation.”
The President also commended the organisers of the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards, stressing that the Nigerian story had been built by the contributions of ordinary and extraordinary citizens across different sectors.
“The entrepreneurs who create jobs, the farmers who feed our communities, the scientists who expand knowledge, the public servants who uphold institutions, the artists who enrich our culture, the innovators who solve problems and the citizens who serve their communities are all contributors to the Nigerian story,” he said.
“Their achievements deserve to be remembered.”
On national unity, Tinubu said his administration remained committed to strengthening Nigeria’s identity, social cohesion and collective memory.
“The Federal Government attaches great importance to national identity, social cohesion and the preservation of our collective memory,” he said.
“Our diversity is one of Nigeria’s greatest assets, and our history provides us with countless examples of what Nigerians can accomplish when our differences are transformed into strength rather than division.”
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda was focused on building an economy that creates opportunities rather than dependency, strengthening institutions, improving infrastructure and ensuring that Nigerians have greater opportunities to contribute to national prosperity.
The President also reaffirmed the importance of the media in national development, describing journalism as more than an instrument for disseminating information and holding government accountable.
“The Federal Government recognises the media not only as an instrument of information and accountability, but also as a custodian of national memory. The Daily Times has fulfilled that responsibility for a century,” he said.
Tinubu congratulated the leadership of the Daily Times, led by Mr Fidelis Anosike, and all those involved in producing The Nigerian Grand Book, describing the project as a historic contribution to preserving Nigeria’s heritage.
He formally unveiled the publication and urged Nigerians, schools, libraries and other institutions to embrace it.
But in his closing message, the President turned the spotlight from Nigeria’s past to its future.
“As we unveil this remarkable compendium today, let us remember that the first hundred years of Nigeria’s story have been written; the next chapter is in our hands,” Tinubu said.
“May we write that chapter with courage, unity, innovation and patriotism. May the Nigeria of tomorrow be more prosperous, more secure, more competitive and more united than the Nigeria we inherited.”
