..Urges Nigerians to keep praying for him
..As Wike calls for patience with President over fuel subsidy removal
Chief Mrs. Mujidat Folashade Tinubu Ojo, has appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for her father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ojo made the appeal in Port Harcourt on Thursday, while speaking at the first anniversary celebration of Folashade Tinubu Solidarity Movement, FOTSOM, and conferment of Mayor of Business Politics in Nigeria award on her by the group, at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt.
Represented at the event with theme; ‘Progressive Nigeria: the pains, sacrifices and gains’, by Nike Olubode, Mrs. Ojo said, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the most prepared president Nigeria has ever had.
She thanked the FOTSOM for the honour on her.
The keynote speaker and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, in his address called for more patience from Nigerians with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the face of the sufferings and hardship they face following the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
Wike, who spoke through the Rivers State representative at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and South South Grand Patron of FOTSOM, Chief Tony Okocha, said President Tinubu is currently taking measures to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
The FCT Minister and ex-Rivers Governor, described the theme of the event; ‘Progressive Nigeria: the pains, sacrifices and gains’ as timely, adding that it is coming when Nigeria, is attempting a holistic approach to key issues affecting the citizens.
He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in an inspiring extempore presentation to Nigerians on the 29th of May, 2023, intelligently isolated the teething problems of Nigeria and reeled out possible road-maps to navigate to the panaceas.
“The President was unequivocal in the decision that fuel subsidy regime in Nigeria is gone. He anchored his deft resolve on the fact that fuel Subsidy was a sleaze policy and a conduit pipe that favoured very infinitesimal bourgeoisies and never served the interest of the larger mass of Nigerians.
“Amongst all that were said by Mr President on the podium, the one issue that has passed through several and different spectrums of analyses and argumentations, is the issue of fuel subsidy removal. The greatest rational weather made out of this, is the fact that the President should have consulted relevant stakeholders and waited to put in place, palliative measures to cushion the effects of the Fuel Subsidy removal.
“However, all agreed that fuel subsidy was a cankerworm that ate up our economy and almost took Nigeria to the heels of a Pariah Nation-State.”
The FCT Minister added that though, the removal of fuel subsidy, no doubt, took its toll on Nigerians, especially as it largely accounts for the temporary hardships experienced in the Land, but it has brought tremendous gains to Nigeria.
“The exponential rise in the prices of fuel and petroleum products, the concomitant effect of the rise on transportation and commodities, without corresponding measures to stem the tide, posed severe pains on Nigerians.
“I enjoin Nigerians to see the painful side of fuel subsidy as ephemeral. It is a necessary evil likened to surgery, whose intent is to cure a patient of an ailments, yet inflict temporary pains.
“It is understandably true that most Nigerian families are at present, worse. Life and living have become almost unbearable, especially as it has become extremely difficult for families to feed, let alone engage in other aspects that guarantee good life.
“As an integral part of this Government, I feel sure to admonish for a little more patience. President Bola Tinubu as known for, is gradually putting in place, measures to address the issues, with a target for an Eldorado in no distant time.
“Renewed Hope, meant elementarily, either that Hopes hitherto, were dashed or precarious or completely hopeless. Therefore, it is President Tinubu’s Social Contract with Nigerians, to bring some good measures of succor as an egalitarianist.
“Of course, Rome as they say, wasn’t built in a day. The Journey of a thousand miles, begins with a step. “Gold, as precious ornament, passes through rough contours before it finally emerges.”
“The mindless bourgeoisies who leveraged on the policy to stupendously amass wealth at the expense and chagrin of Nigerians have been displaced and stripped of their wicked enterprise.
Nigeria is no longer neck-deep in huge debts, occasioned by borrowing from Countries and International Monetary organizations, to fund the monster in Fuel Subsidy.
“Revenue accruals to the three tiers of government have increased. making the grounds wet and veritable for development. Our decaying infrastructures are getting revived. New ones are in the offing,” he said.
The Minister, while emphasizing on the roles of the citizens towards effective government and governance urged Nigerians to meaningful engage the government on matters of interest and not to antagonise it or indulge in acts that will paint the country black or destroy it.
Also speaking, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Tammy Danagogo commended FOTSOM for choosing Port Harcourt for the event.
He expressed optimism on the capability of President Tinubu to fix Nigeria despite the numerous challenges bedeviling the nation at the moment, and called on Nigerians to cue into the president’s renewed hope agenda and support him.
The Governor assured of the Rivers State Government’s support to the development and growth of Nigeria.
