Nigerians Are Going Through Pain But We Had To Remove Petrol Subsidy – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu met with South-West Muslim leaders on Friday and appealed to them to support the government’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy.
He said the move was necessary to save the country from economic collapse and to create a more just and prosperous society.
The president’s media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, issued a statement on Friday night, titled, “President Tinubu to S/West Islamic leaders: Sacrifice is required to achieve Nigeria’s restoration.”
The statement said the president assured the leaders, led by the president of the Ummah, Rasaki Oladejo, that the government was working hard to improve the economy and overcome the current challenges. He said Nigerians should have faith in the country and its future.
“We have to believe in one country; we have to believe in Nigeria. We will do our best, and our economy will get better for the benefit of Nigerians. I am very sure of that, and we are putting in the work to ensure that,” the president said.
Tinubu explained that his policies and programmes were aimed at creating a fairer, better and honest society where hard work is rewarded and where laziness reaps little.
He said, “It is about our future. We must guarantee our future. Almighty Allah will not give us a burden that we cannot bear. “He has put us here for a purpose. It may look difficult; even rough, but it will get better. We avoided it (removing the petroleum subsidy) for 40 years.
“We are all going through the pain now, but for Nigeria not to collapse, we had to remove the subsidy.”
He also thanked the leaders for their prayers and support, and promised them that his administration would empower the youth with skills and create an enabling environment for them to prosper.
Oladejo, who was accompanied by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, praised Tinubu for his courage in removing the petroleum subsidy and for initiating necessary, even if difficult reforms.
He said, “There had been no leader, military, or civilian that could break this hard nut of removing petroleum subsidy for us to grow as a country. You have done it. God will see you through.”