President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Nigerians lived fake lives before the removal of petrol subsidy in 2023.
Gatekeepers News reports that Tinubu represented by Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole said this while speaking at 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo state on Saturday.
The president noted that the removal of petrol subsidies and unification of exchange rates was necessary to save Nigeria from the brink of collapse.
Tinubu disclosed that his administration took decisive action to prevent economic disaster and secure the future of Nigerians.
He said, “As you are all aware, we took the baton of authority at a time when our economy was nose-diving as a result of heavy debts from fuel and dollar subsidies.”
“The subsidies were meant to support the poor and make life better for all Nigerians. We are all aware of the fact that the poor and average Nigerians were the sufferers of what was supposed to give them succour and an improved standard of living.”
“Unfortunately, the good life we thought we were living was a fake one that was capable of leading the country to a total collapse unless drastic efforts were urgently taken.”
President Tinubu emphasised the real reasons his administration has to quickly remove the fuel subsidy.
He said, “The need to salvage the future of our children, and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and also unify the exchange rates. I am not unaware of the consequences of the tough decisions on our people. I sincerely wish there could be softer options.”
Tinubu expressed dismay over the rate at which youths are migrating in search of greener pastures.
He said, “Many of our youths have chosen the supposed easy option of emigrating to the proverbial greener pastures where their citizens had rolled up their sleeves to bring their nations back from the brinks in their times of trouble.”
The president noted that this led to the brain drain syndrome that we now experience in all areas of our endeavours as a nation.
Tinubu however said the renewed hope agenda of his administration is on track and assured Nigerians of its determination to pursue a better and greater Nigeria.
Vice Chancellor of UNILORIN, Prof. Adenike Oladiji while speaking earlier, bragged about the quality of education and research at the institution.
She noted that the University is fully committed to contributing to the technological advancement of Nigeria.
Prof Oladiji urged the graduands to ensure they utilize their knowledge to advance themselves as well as society.
