Amid the nations ongoing challenges, President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to leading a government that listens to the concerns of its citizens.
Speaking on Friday during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Tinubu emphasized that his administration remains focused on making tough but necessary decisions to secure Nigeria’s future.
Reflecting on his decision to remove the fuel subsidy upon assuming office in 2023, the President acknowledged the difficulty of the move but maintained that it was essential to prevent the country from financial collapse.
Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard and tough for me, but it was a necessary choice for Nigeria’s survival. We cannot afford to bankrupt our country, he said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
Despite the initial hardships, Tinubu highlighted the positive outcomes of the decision, including increased competition in the petroleum sector, improved agricultural yields, and a gradual decline in commodity prices. He also noted that investor confidence in Nigeria was growing.
There is hope. Investors are coming in, and they are speaking positively about Nigeria. What seemed like a difficult beginning is now showing signs of progress and we are not even halfway through yet. I am grateful to be alive and healthy to witness this phase, and I deeply appreciate your prayers, he told the bishops.
Addressing concerns about national security, the President assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to tackling insecurity head-on. He stressed that the effects of insecurity cut across religious and ethnic lines, affecting both Christians and Muslims alike.
This insecurity affects everyone, Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians. I have no religious bias, and I will never be a bigot. My wife is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, he stated.
Tinubu underscored the need for national unity and development beyond religious and ethnic divisions, pledging to maintain an open-door policy for dialogue and collaboration.
This country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. My doors remain open, and I am always ready to listen, he assured.
The President expressed gratitude to religious leaders for their prayers, noting that Nigeria was beginning to experience tangible improvements and a renewed sense of optimism. He reiterated that increased competition in the petroleum sector, successful agricultural harvests, and the gradual stabilization of commodity prices were clear indicators of progress.
