Victor EzejaPresident Bola Tinubu has again defended the economic reforms embarked upon by his administration, saying they are necessary to build a stable and resilient future for the country.
The president stated this on Friday when he received a delegation of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he fully understands the plight of Nigerians but the reforms are necessary to guarantee a sustainable future for the children of the country.
He said removing fuel subsidy was a tough decision for his administration but it is a hard choice that Nigeria must face to avoid plunging the country into bankruptcy.
President Tinubu emphasised how crucial it is for leaders and citizens to invest in the country in order to create a robust society.
He stressed that poverty is a problem that affects people of all religions and urged cooperation of all leaders across religious and ethnic groups in the battle against it.
“We were spending the investment of the future of our children yet unborn; We were spending their rights, and poverty has no religious basis. There’s no religious colouration, no identity. It affects all, and we must fight it together,” Tinubu stated.
He emphasised that the tax reform offered citizens a good chance to invest in the development of their country.
President Tinubu applauded the Catholic body’s commitment to education and healthcare. He went on to say that he established the NELFUND to make sure that no kid left school because they couldn’t afford their tuition and pledged to explore ways to assist students in private schools that are not covered by the NELFUND.
Tackling Insecurity
On insecurity in the country, the Nigerian leader noted that security agencies were already tackling it, adding that all can feel the impact.
He said insecurity has affected everyone, including adherents of all religious groups.
He also emphasised the need for tolerance, and shunning all forms of bigotry to build the country.
“This insecurity affects everyone, Christians, Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church. But we have to think of our country; this country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. And I’m here open to you, ready to listen. “We’ve been together for some time. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door.”
The President thanked religious leaders for their prayers, noting that the reforms are already bearing fruit in the country.
He highlighted the competition among operators in the petroleum sector, the bountiful harvest enjoyed by farmers, and the lower prices of commodities, adding that investments are flowing into the country.
“There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. I am very proud of that. What seems to be a very difficult beginning is now showing us hope. And we are not half-time yet. I’m happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I am thankful to all of you for your prayers.”
Speaking at the meeting, Most Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri and the CBCN President, who led the delegation of 20 Bishops from across the country, said they were at the State House to commend Tinubu for his efforts to reposition the country and share some concerns.
He said: “Your government’s policy mantra is anchored on the principles of Renewed Hope. In this regard, we are pleased to inform you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has declared this year as the year of hope, the Jubilee Year of Hope, a theme we adopted for our conference.
“We came with the final fruits of our deliberations and will share them with you.”
He said the removal of fuel subsidies had undoubtedly affected the people and commended the tax reform initiative, which he believed would “generate, in the long run, more resources for advancing the common good.”
The CBCN president acknowledged the efforts of security agencies to curtail insecurity in the land. He, however, called for more concerted efforts to “rekindle hope and inspire confidence in the hearts of our people.”
The bishops called for a well-defined vision of religion as a force for moral integrity and patriotic unity without necessarily impinging on individuals’ fundamental rights. According to them, “efforts should be made to ensure that religious practice in Nigeria fosters unity rather than division.”
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On his part, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, recalled his attendance at the Charismatic Bishop Conference in 2024, emphasising the need for the nation to remain together, to be united, to be focused, and to maintain support for the government, even in the face of temporary hardship.
“It is no news that in any reform that happens in all parts of the world, temporary hardships are usually experienced. And we’re happy to note that today, not only does the federal government have more money to spend to bring about the kind of promises that the President made at the very beginning, but also to ensure that the future, according to the President, as he always says, the future of our children and the children yet unborn, will not be frittered away.”
Idris said security had greatly improved in the nation. “In 2023, I know how difficult it was to move from Abuja to Kaduna; it is almost impossible just to take your car, fuel it, and begin to go on that road. Today, this is not the case. We know that farmers used to find it extremely difficult to go to the farms. We know that this has not completely gone away, but it is a reality that today, no one asks questions to move from Abuja to Kaduna or any part of the North.”
He said the national value charter that the President championed in his 2025 New Year message will soon be launched to ensure that Nigerians come together to reclaim our lost values. He added that the National Orientation Agency is working to ensure that both religions teach the Bible and the Quran in our schools and the return of civic education.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
