The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, on Saturday expressed optimism that banditry and terrorism would soon be eradicated in Nigeria, citing the determination of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle insecurity.
Adeola said he was confident that President Tinubu was working tirelessly, alongside local and international partners, to bring an end to banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in different parts of the country, while also pursuing the goal of a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
The senator, who represents Ogun West in the 10th Senate, made the remarks at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Ilaro, Diocese of Yewa, during his annual thanksgiving service.
The event was held to thank God for His grace over his 22 years of public service and for the support he has received from the President in his political journey.
Several dignitaries were present at the thanksgiving service, including the senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha; the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, who represents Ifo–Ewekoro Federal Constituency; and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako. Others in attendance were Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi and the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, among others.
Adeola urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s economic and security reforms aimed at making the country safer, better and more prosperous. He noted that the President had taken decisive steps over the past three years to reposition the economy, stressing that the removal of fuel subsidy saved Nigeria from spending over ₦10 trillion annually on a system that previously benefited only a few individuals.
He recalled that during his tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance in the previous Senate, the Federal Government had been borrowing between ₦6 trillion and ₦7 trillion yearly to fund fuel subsidy, adding that the President’s decision to remove the subsidy brought an end to the practice.
He said: “The President is working around the clock to ensure that we have a secure and prosperous Nigeria, a Nigeria that is secured for everyone and a Nigeria that we can be proud of. He (Tinubu) is doing all within to ensure that Nigeria of our dream that tomorrow when he looks back, he can thank God for what God has used to turn Nigeria. I’m a living testimony of what God has used the President to do within the few years of assumption of office.
“I can refer to what his policies have done for the betterment of our dear nation. Within the two, he has removed that cankerworm from our economy that has eaten far deep into the fabrics of finances over the years, that is the fuel subsidy that benefits only a few Nigerians at the detriment of the overall population of this nation.”
