The Vice President of Nigeria Kashim Shettima has expressed satisfaction at president Tinubu’s earlier decision to remove the fuel subsidy, saying it used to be an albatross to economic progress.
Shettima made this remark after the president had, during the Ramadan Iftar with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, called on religious leaders to desist from ‘hating’ or defaming the image of the nation in their sermons.
He told the religious leaders, who represented their various faiths and beliefs, including traditional worshippers, that president Tinubu “means well for the nation” and that the removal of fuel subsidy was necessary.
”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The President took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner,” the Vice-President said.
“The President means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.
Then, addressing the religious leaders at the occasion, the President said, ”The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country.
“Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important.
”Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say, ‘no matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there.”
”Leave the beads there. This is your country; do not condemn it in sermons, do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for changes,” said the president.
President Tinubu also spoke on his attendance at the burial of the 17 soldiers killed in Okuama, Delta State as a demonstration of national support and unity, urging all persons and organisations who do not like his administration to stop spreading the hate and ”wait until the next election.”
“Yesterday in Abuja, I attended the burial of the 17 soldiers killed in action at Okuama, Delta State. I saw their pregnant wives and little kids.
”Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land,” he advised.
He also reiterated the significance of his birthday falling on Easter Friday.
”I have earned the honour of having my birthday fall on Good Friday, and I pray that on this Maundy Thursday, you all shall return to your homes safely.
“May God guide and keep you and your families in good health, and lift your spirits,” the President prayed.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwu, also speaking at the Ramadan Iftar told the Mr President that he and his people will support his vision and have “always done so by trusting in his gut to remove the fuel subsidy”; and that as they had seen ”prices of goods gradually coming down”.
”You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone.
“We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” the Ooni said.
Others, among the religious leaders who pledged their support for president Tinubu’s administration was Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, and Apostle Samson Fatokun, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN.
Speaking on the significance of unity and behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli said, ”I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room.
“I pray God Almighty blesses the President for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land.”
Apostle Samson Fatokun, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), highlighted that the president had remained determined despite internal challenges he has faced ranging from the fuel subsidy removal, insecurity to Naira exchange crisis since he assumed office.
”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” the CAN General Secretary, Apostle Samson said.
”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation.”
