President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to accept his “baby steps” of pain as he forges ahead with his reforms of the various sectors of the country.
He said the steps he had taken so far and the ones to come are good for Nigeria’s future.
Tinubu who spoke yesterday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, declared that he remained hopeful and optimistic about achieving victory in the last presidential election, despite the cashless policy implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The president, who declared that he is not in a hurry at accomplishing his rebuilding mission, specifically admonished Nigerians to endure the current hardship, which he described as “baby steps of pain.”
The president said these in separate remarks at the palaces of the Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu-Ode, and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, during a thank-you visit to the royal fathers.
Reflecting on the challenges in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, President Tinubu in a statement by presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, recounted his concerns about the confiscation of funds and the failure of the cashless policy, and how he had previously sought wisdom and guidance from Oba Adetona during his visit to the palace.
According to the President, he invoked the spirits of freedom and determination, symbolised by “Baba Emilokan,” to overcome the obstacles in the election.
“Our money was confiscated. The cashless policy didn’t work; it was terrible then. I realised that, I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom which we are noted for.
“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba Emilokan. That’s Baba. Being blunt, being decisive, that’s him, he will tell you. The second spirit is that money or no money (we will do the election and we will win),” he said.
President Tinubu acknowledged that these spirits had been the driving force behind his service and expressed his gratitude to Oba Adetona, all the Obas, elected officials, particularly his ‘personal friend’ Senator Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East.
He thanked them for their loyalty and commitment during those crucial times in the 2023 election.
The president, who described his visit to Ijebu-Ode as a homecoming, told Kabiyesi: “The way you have taken me, the way you have responded to me, all I can say is thank you. May you live long and may you witness a prosperous Nigeria.”
He also acknowledged the presence of Chief Mike Adenuga, Nigerian billionaire businessman, and expressed pride in his contributions to the Nigerian economy.
During his visit to Abeokuta, President Tinubu thanked the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, for receiving him, describing him a great leader.
He expressed his commitment to fulfilling his promises and appealed for prayers from the citizens of the state to ensure progress and stability in the country.
“I have redeemed my pledge that I will come back with victory and the crown. The hope is recharged; the hope is here. That hope will never fail. That hope will recharge your lives in a positive manner.
“By the grace of Almighty God, we shall reap the fruits of our labour’ Nigeria will see positive change, just endure these baby steps of pain.
“This country is the only one we have. I have been a refugee and I know what it means to be a refugee and my green passport is what I still have now.”
In separate remarks at the palaces of the paramount ruler of Ijebuland and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State thanked the president for the visit to the state, describing him as a man of uncommon grace and a living testimony of resilience. Chronicling the President’s antecedents as a visionary politician, the governor said the pronouncement of President Tinubu in the first few weeks in office had defined him as rightly prepared and qualified for office.
Oba Adetona and Oba Gbadebo, in separate remarks in their palaces, commended President Tinubu for his leadership, acknowledging him as an instrument of God chosen to rectify past shortcomings.
Also, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Akaraigbo of Remoland, who commended the president for starting his administration well, noted that the people need urgent palliatives to mitigate the effects of the current challenges.
He lauded the wise decisions so far taken by the administration, just as he reminded the president of his promise to bring development to Remo.
”I want to remind you of what you said when you came to Remo. You said with the proximity of Shagamu to Lagos, you were surprised at the level of development in Remo. This is the time Mr President to walk that talk,” he said.
Tinubu had earlier visited the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona at his palace in Ijebu-Ode and departed after about an hour’s meeting behind closed-door with the revered monarch.
In his entourage were the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, and presidential spokesperson, Dele Alake.
Speaking at the palace of the Alake, the President appreciated political bigwigs in the state who are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) for delivering the state for the party during the February 25 presidential election.
He also re-emphasised his promise, that the country will soon start experiencing positive changes which Nigerians desire.
Tinubu who said he is taking his time to build a good team, and urged Nigerians to keep a positive mind, assuring that he was determined to help the country out of its current state.
“What I ask for is prayers that will help the country and I am determined to help our country, to steer the ship of the nation, build a good team positive for this country and deliver on all the promises that I have made.
“Nigeria will see positive changes as we move along, just go through these baby’s steps of pain, baby steps of pain. I’m taking baby steps as the President, not marching in a hurry, being ready to listen, maintain an open-door policy, let freedom flow, let confidence return to Nigeria.
“We need your prayers, we need your support, and we need your interventions to get our people a changed mind, so that the economic prosperity of this country being opened up will affect all of us positively.”
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