President Bola Tinubu stressed that Nigeria needs to go beyond religious paranoia and urged citizens to unite to solve economic and security challenges.
Speaking at Abuja in the delegation of the State Council of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria (CBCN), Tinubu acknowledged the difficulties brought about by ongoing economic reforms, but insisted that it was necessary to build a resilient state for future generations.
“Yes, it’s hard for me to cancel fuel subsidies, but it’s a tough choice that Nigeria has to face. We won’t go bankrupt in our country,” Tinubu said. “We are spending future investments in our unborn children; we are spending their rights. Poverty has no religious foundation. It affects everything and we must fight together.” He stressed that poverty goes beyond the religious and racial divide and called on Nigerians to support tax reform as a means of investing in national development.
In addressing security issues, Tinob assured the bishop that the security agencies were making significant progress in addressing the challenges of the country. He noted that insecurity affects everyone regardless of religious beliefs and reiterated his commitment to religious tolerance. “This insecurity affects everyone – Christians and Muslims. I have no religious prejudice. I will not become paranoid. My wife is a pastor of the redeemed Christian church,” he said. “But we have to think about our country; this country has to develop and it has to go beyond religious paranoia. We have been together for a while. We have an open policy. I’m not going to close my door.”
The president expressed gratitude to religious leaders for their prayers, highlighting positive economic changes, including increased competition in the oil sector, increased agricultural yields and lower commodity prices. He also noted that growing foreign investment is a sign of optimism in the country’s economic outlook. “There is hope; people come to invest. They say good things about Nigeria. I’m very proud of it,” he said. “It seems like a very difficult start, and now shows us hope. And we are not halfway through. I’m happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I thank you for your prayers.”
