Subsidy Removal: Groups Advocate Credible Management Of Palliative Measures

A non governmental organisation, Excellent Leadership for Sustainable Development and Good Governance (ELSDGG), alongside the All Progressives Congress (APC) Supporters Center, yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint an individual with proven capacity, experience and expertise into his cabinet to oversee the post-subsidy removal palliative.

The two platforms, in a joint press conference, said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot afford to make the mistake of recruiting people into his cabinet who do not have capacity and passion for the task assigned to them. 

They however canvassed for a philanthropist, Chief Temitope Ajayi, popularly called Mama Diaspora to be appointed either as minister of Humanitarian Affairs or any portfolio that would oversee the humanitarian needs of Nigerians in a post-subsidy removal era.

They added that she has a proven record of passion for humanity and the less privileged which earned her the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the United States White House in 2019.

Speaking for ELSDGG, Dr Eunice Bosua, who underscored the need to have leaders, who are self-aware, credible and listen to the people, into  key positions, said “We believe that whoever will head the humanitarian ministry or that strategic portfolio will be someone with a rich history of compassion, a wealth of experience, and proven capacity in this sector.”

Bosua, who admitted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration inherited  enormous security and economic challenges, said they support subsidy removal policy, bearing in mind that it will  enable the government to refocus on ensuring that welfare of Nigerians are more robustly attended to. 

“But we do believe that the palliative measure that naturally follows the subsidy removal must have a human face such that the right people really get to feel the humanitarian impact of the government’s welfare policy.

“We do not however dismiss the fact that such a person must also have  aligned with the ideals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Having looked within ourselves, we have identified an individual who possesses these remarkable qualities and more. 

“We believe that the cap fits Chief Temitope Ajayi popularly called Mama Diaspora. She has over the years displayed passion for humanity and the less privileged.

“Her experience in this specialized sector has won her many domestic and international awards, the most recent being the 2019 Gold Award named the President’s Volunteer Service from the United States President Joe Biden.

“Beyond having a reputation for putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged, she has over the years shown expert knowledge on reaching the less privileged in critical areas and times.”

On his part, National coordinator of APC supporters Center, Amb Dr Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar Batati, who endorsed Chief Ajayi for the position, said such an office should be given to people who have structure on ground to work with.

Batati, who recounted how Ajayi gave millions of soft loans in a structured way to market women and other artisans, said the humanitarian position shouldn’t be given to people who do not have the capacity for the task ahead.

On his part, convener,  We Are United Nigeria, Hon Felix Tolorunju idowu, said, “We need people with the best brains in Tinubu’s government. We need people who will help with the palliative to reach out to all Nigerians. We Need people at that level to come on board and help the administration deliver the best to Nigerians.

“It will also help the security system, because with the proper distribution of palliatives tension will go down. We should give portfolios to people with passion to handle such positions.”

On his part, coordinator of APC supporters in the United States, Ambassador Julius Motayo, expressed confidence that Chief Ajayi will live up to the expectations considering the wealth of experience and passion she has for the less privileged. 

On her part, leader of Voice of Niger Delta, Ambassador Success Motajo, also underscored the impact “mama diaspora” has made in the humanitarian sector, stressing that she is the best person for the job.