Fuel Subsidy Removal: I Share in Your Pains, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

•Says things now looking up for good

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday told Nigerians that he shared in the pains associated with the removal of fuel subsidy in the wake of his administration on May 29, 2023.

Speaking at the second-term inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State in Owerri, the president, however, said there was light at the end of the tunnel as things are already looking up for good in Nigeria.

He said: “In the past 40 years, a few people were cornering our common wealth, and calling it subsidy, but I call it wasteful. Right now, we are all bearing and sharing that pain. But things are looking up. Things will get better for the good of all Nigerians. With me, there is hope”.

 Tinubu said his administration will give more attention to education and healthcare, as well as provide the enabling environment for industrialisation and investments in consonance with his vision of creating an economically stable and prosperous country.

The president  said he was well-attuned to the concerns of citizens, assuring them that the challenges brought on by very essential reforms were being addressed.

“I assure you that there will be substantial development in education for your children; priority on industrialisation; healthcare will receive more allocation and attention. We will train more health workers,” he stated.

 Tinubu commended  Uzodinma for his stewardship in Imo state, describing him as the “real hope” of the state.

“It is a great honour for me to be here in Imo State. And to congratulate the people of Imo for being discerning and determined to vote into a second term, a very unique individual who resonates with a progressive agenda, Senator Hope Uzodinma,” he said.

The president said he was is committed to building a united and secure country, noting the peace and security in the state.

He added: “Before now, people were afraid of coming to Imo state, but today Imo is safe and open for business. What we have learnt from this experience is the importance of unity, cooperation, and a focus on our internal security.”

 Tinubu implored the governor to work even harder for the people, emphasising that hard work is the reward for a re-election.

“I assure you that your hopes are renewed. Be assured of the support of the federal government to ensure rapid development of your state,” he further said.

Speaking after being administered the oath of office by the Imo State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, Uzodinma pledged that his second tenure would be an uncommon tenure in the execution of policies.

“We have been able to lay a solid foundation for accelerated economic growth and development of our state. We also addressed the decay we met in the civil service, the decay we met in the education sector, and the health sector. In addition, we addressed the lingering problem of unemployment through the variety of youth empowerment initiatives.

“We carried out a digital version of dealing with the unemployment market, which included the provision of digital and other portable skills, including artificial intelligence to our teeming young men and women,” he said.

Unfolding his priorities, the governor said the next four years of his administration would focus on deepening the shared prosperity mantra through massive infrastructural expansion.

He added that the vision of his government was anchored on a 10-year development plan which has the capacity to make the state self-sufficient.