By Emmanuel Ani
Nigerians have been urged to be patient with President Bola Tinubu- led- administration on the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The planter, Christ Apostolic Church, BOANERGES Worldwide, Prophet Ade Ologbonyo who gave the advice said the President has started well by removing the fuel subsidy.
The man of God also called on Nigerians to always say positive things about the country and pray for leaders and the nation.
Ologbonyo who spoke at a press conference heralding the weeklong 14th anniversary celebration of the ministry in Ise/Orun Ekiti said the action suggested that the new government want to do things right.
The cleric, who, however, pleaded with the federal government to come up with palliatives to ease the effects of the removed subsidy on the people said, “We should not expect magic from the new President, but I think he has taken the right step by removing the fuel subsidy.
” It is a perfect step by any Nigerian leader that will do right. Nigerians just need to be patient a little and the government too, needs to keep negotiating and come up with palliative ease the impacts of the fuel subsidy on the people.
“I think if we are patient with this new government, I think their body language is telling us that we have hope, so let’s keep praying for them”.
He added the palliatives should start with the civil servants with the upward review of their salaries, saying that if salaries are increased the effects of the fuel price increase on them would be lessened.
“This will increase their purchasing power, the money will trickle down to others within the society”.
“Also, the government should come up with an economic policy that will stop traders and service providers from increasing prices of goods and services by 100 percent whenever there are fuel issues.
“Let there be a price control policy and a policy that will help the government to monitor the activities of market women and other traders thereby stopping them from charging outrageous prices for their goods and services.
“For instance, when President said in his inaugural speech that the fuel subsidy is gone, almost petrol station across the country, including Ekiti state, immediately shut their station and refused to sell to the people but later started selling at unauthorized prices”.
So, first thing we need to do for the new government is to pray for them, that God should guide them right. Like in the second stanza of our national anthem said, “Guide our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know”.
While setting agenda for the new government, prophet Ologbonyo said the federal government should also work on how to unite the country.
“We are separated and divided already. He must bring the country back together. The Hausas shouldn’t see themselves as Hausas, ditto Igbos and Yorubas. We should all see ourselves as Nigerians first, forgetting our tribes and ethnic groups and where we are from.
“Secondly, Mr President should prioritize the security of lives and properties. It is the primary responsibility and first assignment of every responsible government. Nobody should be going about with the police and bodyguards in a society that is safe but some people can do without this because of the security situation in our country. Security is important because should be able to sleep with their two eyes closed.
“He should as well work hard to fix the country’s economy which is in shambles. Since the fuel subsidy has been removed, palliatives should follow immediately to reduce its harsh effect on the people”
