Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to be patient, reassuring them that President Bola Tinubu understands their concerns and anxieties.
The VP also disclosed that the president is aware of the activities of the oil subsidy cabal but added that he is determined to push on despite the difficulties being faced by the country at the moment.
Shetima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 African Caucus meeting stated this in response to the nationwide hunger protest.
At the event themed, “Facilitating Intra-African Trade: Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa,” held on Friday in Abuja, Shettima, urged Nigerians to be patient with the president in the wake of the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of the foreign exchange market, and other economic reforms.
He said, “We are gathered here against the backdrop of what happened a couple of weeks ago in Kenya. There is understandable apprehension in the country but here we are, no matter how long the night is, it must give way to the light of the dawn. Surely the weather might be cloudy but it won’t rain forever.
“The president made the painful decisions. Reforms are imperative and we know the consequences of unveiling a masquerade. We are aware of the oil subsidy cabal but we are determined to push on, efforts would be made with human kindness. Please have patience, our heart goes out towards our continent as it goes through the cost of living hardship but we shall overcome.”
On Thursday, Nigerians took to the streets protesting soaring inflation, food prices and economic hardship largely occasioned by policies and reforms embarked upon by the current administration.
The protesters calling for an #EndBadGovernance are demanding a reduction in the petrol pump price to N200 per litre, an end to insecurity, the closure of IDP camps, and electoral reforms, among other issues.
But the rally which began peacefully has taken a violent turn in some cities leading to violent confrontations between the police and the protesters.
Speaking further, the former Borno governor called for global cooperation among African countries to tackle their shared economic challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
He noted that although Africa is grappling with “numerous challenges across economic, humanitarian and social spheres,” countries on the continent must take necessary measures to translate opportunities in natural resources and human capital into growth, innovation and collaboration.
Shettima added, “As a government, we have initiated bold economic reforms aimed at steering our economy away from the downturns caused by multiple shocks in the global economy toward a path of recovery and resilience through significant economic transformation.”
In his welcome address, the chairperson of the Caucus/Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said, “It is an honour to convene this year’s African caucus where we can agree upon viable strategies for advancing the development of our continent. After four turbulent years and multiple shocks to the world economy.
On his part, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, stated that it was the responsibility of monetary authorities to create policies that would promote trade among countries on the continent.