Nigeria Recovering After ‘Fuel Subsidy Weaponisation’, Says VP Shettima

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the firm resolve of President Bola Tinubu-led administration to revolutionise Nigeria’s Digital Economy, saying it was on course and fully backed by the necessary support, initiatives and partnerships.

To this effect, he said the Federal Government will continue to open its doors to all willing partners and stakeholders who continue to believe and invest in the Nigeria project, adding that it was just a matter of time before the nation takes its rightful position across the globe.

The Vice President, who gave the assurance on Thursday when the management of Odua Investment Company Limited led by its chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, praised the company for its initiatives and investment in agriculture, digital economy and MSMEs.

Fuel Subsidy In Times Of Fury

Senator Shettima, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, noted that the sectors remained critical to Nigeria’s economic development and future.

“The Southwest region of our country has the enormous capacity to revolutionise the country given its endowments, just as the policies of President Tinubu will, in no time, manifest as the greatest milestones crossed for the development of Nigeria,” the VP stated.

Speaking on what he called the ”weaponisation of fuel subsidy,” Vice President Shettima described it as an albatross that hung on the neck of the Nigerian nation, as well as the hitherto manipulated exchange rate regime.

“Few persons sat on our commonwealth and manipulated our resources. But we are checkmating these manipulations and as can be seen the economy is gradually beginning to recover and pick up. We are, indeed, ready to carry the burden of leadership and together with stakeholders like you, we are crossing the rubicon and the time for reaping will come,” VP Shettima further said.

Earlier, the chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Otunba Ashiru, who thanked the Vice President for the opportunity to pay him a courtesy call, also commended President Tinubu for promoting ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Similarly, he praised the encouragement they got from Vice President Shettima, just as he said, “You could see that businesses are coming in, and that is why we are here. I see a brighter future in this country with what we have seen in general.

“Nigerians have no business going around the world looking for money, especially with the volume of resources at its disposal, more so that our investors are our greatest assets,” he said.

Mr Ashiru expressed optimism that businesses will continue to thrive under the Tinubu administration, even as he called on citizens and investors to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in Nigeria and do business.

“Earlier, it was one of the issues that the Vice President was applauded for. I served as a former Commissioner in my state, and I know that actually, the Office of the Vice President focuses on that aspect of doing business in Nigeria.

“Now, I’m sure Nigeria has moved up the ladder. I remember Nigeria was sometimes ranked around 140 or so. I can tell you that there are lots of opportunities in this country,” he added.