President Tinubu to traditional rulers: Nigeria’s economy on a recovery path

President Tinubu to traditional rulers: Nigeria’s economy on a recovery path

By Fly Cable News

President Bola Tinubu, in a reassuring tone, shared that the nation’s economy is on a gradual but steady path of recovery. He further assured Nigerians that his administration is fully committed to doing more to meet their needs.

In a meeting with traditional rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, at the State House on Thursday, the President said the plight of citizens remains a deep concern and will receive more attention.

“Yes, I indeed asked for this job, and I approached some of you to support me. So, I have no excuse not to do the job with sincerity, purpose, and honesty. I have committed diligently to it, and I will never look back.

” My concern, and indeed my primary focus, is: How do I take Nigeria forward? How can we ensure the prosperity and well-being of our nation and its people? This is the question that guides my every decision and action.”

President Tinubu said his government has been resuscitating the economy in the last 14 months and that things are shaping up.

He described two of his road projects, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, as economic energisers. He said many dams are on the Sokoto-Badagry highway route.

“We can do irrigation, we can create five million farmers,” he said.

He reiterated that his administration was not against protests and thanked the monarchs for appealing to the would-be protesters.

“Nigeria is on the path of recovery. You have heard it from the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun. We are not afraid of protests. Our concern is the ordinary people, and the damages that will be done. Till today, I cannot forget the brand new 60 and 100-seater buses down there in Lagos that were burnt down, and we are now complaining about transportation. That is the problem. That is why I must say thank you for talking to the citizens,’’ the president told the traditional rulers.

“Security is getting better, but we cannot take our eyes off the camera because it takes one accident for things to flare up. We are managing it.

“We have created instruments to support the students so that they get education and consumer credit to expand the economy and improve the people’s purchasing power to rejuvenate the economy within a short period of time. We are still recalibrating our oil usage,’’ the president stated.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto said: “I believe that this brief meeting will clear some issues that many people have in their minds. At our meeting on Monday, we had a very open discussion on all issues affecting the nation. We are the ones who will tell you the truth about what is happening in our various communities.’’

He likened Nigerians to patients who went to the doctor for medication and demanded instant healing after getting the medication.

While he urged for patience and understanding on the part of citizens, he assured the president of the traditional rulers support.

“We shall be there for you. We are ready to make things work. But please chase the bandits out of our farms so that farmers can go back and farm”, he said..

The royal father said an executive council meeting was held on Monday, and the Council, composed of all State Chairmen of the 36 States and the FCT, met to deliberate on the economy.

The Ooni of Ife thanked the President for inviting the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, to brief the traditional rulers on the state of the economy.

“We heard from the GCEO of NNPCL. They are the ones that propel our economy. We have heard from the Minister of Finance. We also heard from the Minister of Budget and the NSA. We want to encourage you, Mr. President, that we will all get back to our various communities and let our people know because none of us locks our palaces,’’ the Monarch added.