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Everyone Agreed To Removal Of Petrol Subsidy, President Tinubu Erecting Economic Fundamentals — Femi Gbajabiamila

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Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to president Bola Tinubu, says Nigerians and the top presidential candidates in the 2023 election, agreed that the subsidy on petrol had to go.

Gbajabiamila spoke on Saturday, after voting in the Surulere 1 federal constituency by-election, in Lagos.

During his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu veered from the script and announced the end of the petrol subsidy regime.

The pronouncement immediately led to a hike in the pump price of petrol. Spiralling inflation and economic hardship ensued after the nation’s currency was floated and the exchange rate was unified.

Gbajabiamila said the hardship Nigerians are currently grappling with is not peculiar to the country, as other nations are facing a similar ordeal.

“Clearly, Nigerians are going through hardship. Same thing is also going on in other parts of the world. Nigeria is not isolated. It is even in the most advanced democracy that these shocks are being received left, right and centre, from the north, east, west, and south. They are universal,” he said.

“Let’s forget about the other countries. I want to encourage people. It has been six, seven months of this government.

“Moving forward, one believes things will begin to take a turn. Like I said, for it to get better, some people would say it has to get bad.

“Things have been very difficult because of the fundamentals that were missing in the first place. It is those economic fundamentals that the government is putting into place.

“You talk about subsidy removal. There was a national consensus. Everybody agreed that the subsidy had to go. Unification of the naira? Everyone agreed.”

Gbajabiamila, who resigned from the house of representatives to pick up his current job as chief of staff, said whoever succeeds him should be “focused”.

“Legislative work comes with a lot of dedication, hard work, and experience. It may be very difficult initially but when you put your head down and have the focus of the people at heart, you will do well,” he added.

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May 29: President Tinubu Begins Nationwide Project Inauguration To Commemorate His Admin’s First Anniversary

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, departed Abuja for Lagos to begin the commissioning of projects completed under his administration.

The president’s first stop this week is Lagos, as he will be visiting various parts of the nation from Sunday (tomorrow) through Friday to commission other projects.

This is to commemorate Wednesday, May 29, the first anniversary of his administration.

A State House press statement titled, “President Tinubu Set To Inaugurate Projects To Mark One Year In Office,” and signed by the Special Adviser Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga revealed this.

“In Lagos on Sunday, the President will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island. The reconstructed road which began under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration was financed by the Dangote Group, using its tax credits.

“On the same day, President Tinubu will formally inaugurate, by virtual means, the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has drawn public acclaim for its excellent finishing and aesthetic furnishing.

“He will also commission, virtually, the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country.

“The high point of the President’s engagements on Sunday will be the inauguration of the iconic Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion,” it read.

The statement also stated that work has begun on the legacy project that will connect nine coastal states, with Section Two already awarded to Hitech Construction Limited.

It further noted that Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to continue the commissioning spree.

“President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to begin another round of commissioning. He will first inaugurate the Southern Parkway, which the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration named after him.

“On Wednesday, the President will attend the National Assembly Dialogue Series, after which he will unveil the National Assembly Library Complex, named after him,” it added.

Commissioning of the Abuja Metro (Abuja Light Rail) project will also take place on the same day.

“President Tinubu will leave the National Assembly to relaunch the commercialisation of Abuja Light Rail, also known as Abuja Metro. He will symbolically join a train ride to the city centre.

“The Abuja Metro was completed in 2018 by the Buhari Administration. It was put into commercial use up till 2020. But with the onset of COVID-19, the train service was abandoned. Vandals descended on the facility, putting it out of use.

“FCT Minister Wike, after spending $15 million and building access roads to the various stations, has refurbished it for commercial service.

“After the train ride, President Tinubu will also inaugurate the Wuye Flyover-Link Bridge and the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters,” the statement read.

The last item will be the commissioning of a gas centre in Utako.

“On Friday, May 31, President Tinubu will commission the NASENI-Portland Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Centre at Utako,” it concluded.

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JUST IN: President Tinubu Arrives Lagos For Flag-Off Of Lagos-Calabar Highway

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has arrived in Lagos State ahead of the highly anticipated flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar highway construction project.

He was received by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other top government officials at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.

According to Dave Imani, the Minister of Works, the president is scheduled to officially launch the road’s construction on May 26.

Also, President Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several other projects in the state, marking a significant milestone ahead of his first anniversary in office.

 

More to come…

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Deposed Emir Of Kano Bayero Breaks Silence, Says Justice Will Prevail

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Aminu Ado Bayero, the deposed Emir of Kano, has broken his silence following his dethronement as the 15th Emir of Kano State.

Bayero stated that justice would prevail while urging residents to maintain law and order.

He made this known on Saturday in his native language at the mini-palace where he has been since returning to the state after dethronement.

He, however, pledged to follow whatever the law states, saying that Kano is too important to Nigeria.

“I call on the people to remain law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process in this tussle.

“We call on the authority to do justice in this matter. Kano is a very influential state in Nigeria. Whatever affects Kano affects Nigeria. May peace reign in Kano. We pray for Allah to bless Kano with responsible and just leaders.

“Justice is the way to go on every issue. There will be justice. Nobody is above the law. We will accept whatever the law says. I appreciate all the people who have shown concern. As I said, justice will take its course. We will keep on praying for peace in Kano State. May Allah the Almighty protect us,” he said.

The deposed monarch arrived in the ancient city in the early hours of Saturday.

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