President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that the nation departs from the old ways that have held it backwards since independence has been praised.
The immediate past Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly Prince Mathew Kolawole made the disclosure in his assessment of the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary, described the President as one with a listening ears contrary to criticisms that the government is not responsive.
In an interview to mark the nations independence, Prince Kolawole described the current administration as one that genuinely cares about the well-being of its citizens, noting that the President has repeatedly demonstrated a deep understanding of the public struggles.
He also stressed the President’s openness to feedback and his history of accessibility, pointing out that following the people’s complain, the administration has shown so much love for Nigerians because of the fact that the government realises that Nigerians are victims of broken promises.
According to the former Speaker, the nation’s problem did not start with the present administration, pointing out that it is a carry over of several years of past leadership failures and not having the courage to do the needful.
Prince Kolawole noted that President Tinubu has always underscored the fact that he feels the pains Nigerians are passing through as a result of the reforms, but expressed appreciation that the independence day message of the President has a lot underway for Nigerians, particularly the youths with the proposed National Youth Conference.
Prince Kolawole described President Tinubu as a man a with “big heart” and a deep love for all Nigerians, urged Nigerians to support the administration of President Tinubu, pointing out that thus far, he has proven since the advent of the nation’s democratic experiment since 1999, that he is the best Democratic president we have had.
Prince Kolawole described the several palliative support to States by President Tinubu since his assumption of office as very commendable said he has always been a proponent of a call for patience by Nigerians, pointing out that the President need so much time to clear up the mess and rot he inherited.
Prince Kolawole praised President Tinubu’s intervention and efforts to alleviate hunger through the release of grains from the strategic reserve and the introduction of student loans. Today in Kogi State, go to Federal University Lokoja, Confluence University Osara of Science and Technology, Osara and Kogi State University Kabba, almost all the students have benefitted from the loans and their school fees has been paid.
“The truth is that it is difficult to see the impact of palliatives in big societies and countries like ours. For a nation of over 250 million people, gauging the impact of palliatives is a tough issue. Palliatives are introduced to bring immediate relief to those worst hit by the adverse effects of the removal. The President did well by increasing the allocations to states and directing allocations of essential items to the states.
”The States should do more like President Tinubu to the increased allocations and support. The responsibility of the State Government is to complement Mr. President by creating common wealth that will be enjoyed seamlessly by all”.
Prince Kolawole said power belongs to God, urged political actors who are out to run down the good intentions of President Tinubu to join hands with him in building a virile nation, adding that the ordinary Nigerians who see hope in the reform of President Tinubu will massively vote him 2027.
”President Tinubu is the best for the country in 2027. Looking at the courage that he has to lay the solid foundation we are witnessing today, I can predict that they people will overwhelmingly vote him by 2027. This is because the outcome of the reforms currently ongoing would have been made manifest for the people to see and feel”.
“I can assure you that by the first/second quarter of next year, when the reforms being put in place now begin to yield fruit, Nigerians will see glaringly the need for President Bola Tinubu to continue. Nigerians would yearn for him to continue in 2027, Kolawole said.
The former Speaker commended the President’s fight against corruption, carpeted those who said his independence day speech didn’t touch on the fight against corruption.
”This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that I see a President fighting President genuinely. Recalled that in his first few months in office, we saw a President relieving a Minister of his office because of corruption. We have seen the several recovery’s made by the EFCC. All of this is happening because Mr. President has given the anti graft agency and others the free hands to fight corruption. I’m from Kogi State, we have made calls for Mr. President to restrain EFCC from harassing former Gov Yahaya Bello who is an APC Chieftain. But like a Statesman, the President has remained neutral, living the agency to do their job without interferences”.
”Unlike in the past, this is one administration that would not for reasons of personal reasons engage or fight political opponents using the EFCC like we witnessed by other past President’s, rather with all intent and purposes, we have seen professionalism and competence as displayed by the anti graft agency”, called on Nigerians to join Mr. President in the fight against corruption as envisioned by President Tinubu.
“We have a President that is trying to solve real problems. Look at it, he has spoken to the security agencies and now there is operation going on in the Niger Delta and now the oil theft has been tackled. We can keep talking about addressing people from here till tomorrow, I am sure he is looking into that.
“There is a youth investment fund, a hundred and twenty billion naira. That youth investment fund will create so much avenue for the youth and again the national sovereign fund has released $220M to Nigerian tech companies so that they can boost the youth towards innovation. This is something that has never been done by any President in Nigeria before, and then there is the student loan.
“So, why should Nigerians lose any hope, when they have somebody that is doing all these things? The hunger is real and the President sees that and that is why he took out forty-two thousand from the strategic reserve of the grains. Nigerians have to be more patient.”
The former Speaker praised the concerted efforts being made by the government to improve the supply of electricity across the country as commendable, said the steady electricity would generate more employment and enhance development in both urban and rural areas.
“The government has also come up with implementable programmes on health, housing, and small-scale business development”, assured that whatever negatives and the odds against Tinubu’s chances in 2027. His reforms will yield fruits, assured of his overwhelming victory.
Prince Kolawole described President Tinubu as a leader with a great mission and vision for the country, pointing out that he is a product of preparation meeting with opportunity, said with his understanding of the ongoing reforms and the profound leadership of President Tinubu, the sufferings of Nigerians would be short-lived Very soon, adding that Nigeria’s situation will change for the better as it is already manifesting.
The Kogi State former Speaker commended President Tinubu for running a peaceful and non-chaotic government. Our President for the first time has proven to be methodical and calculating and these are very crucial to successful governance indicators. As a politician and person with great belief in grassroots development, I am impressed with his handling of real grassroots development, particularly with the Supreme Court Judgment that granted autonomy to Local Government administration. President Tinubu has written his name in gold when you talk of grassroots reforms.
“Like I said about the President, the audacity and bravery with which he is handling the transformation of Nigeria for the coming generation made him tower over all his predecessors. He will be leaving behind projects that would will outlive generations and be well applauded by all.