Follow Us on Google
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, has declared that the “radical surgery” carried out by the Tinubu administration on the country’s economy has saved it from being consigned to the “mortuary”.
Salako argued that prior to 2023, when the present administration was inaugurated, Nigeria’s economy was already comatose and barely surviving on a life-support machine, insisting President Tinubu not only saved the economy from the “mortuary” but revamped it.
The Minister stated this while speaking at the formal inauguration and Ramadan lecture organised by the Progressive Muslim Clerics, Ogun State, held in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the weekend.
The lecture, with the theme “Islamic Principles of Purposeful Political Choices in a Democratic Setting”, was powered by the Asalam Alaikum Foundation, established by the Minister in memory of his late parents.
Speaking further, Salako acknowledged that indications have emerged that Tinubu’s surgery has recalibrated the country and put it on a better economic stead.
“Tinubu’s government has undertaken a radical surgery of the economy of Nigeria. If the surgery was not painstakingly carried out, Nigeria’s economy would have ended in the mortuary.
“There are indications that things are getting better. Today, our Naira is stable. Through the reforms, our currency is now stable. Inflation rate is coming down. Our foreign reserve now is the highest since 2019. Food security has never been this better under the incumbent administration in the country.
Other News
“The president’s ongoing infrastructural projects are legacy in nature. He is working for a better Nigeria and the impact which will continue to be felt in the next 50 years,” the Minister stated.
He called on the clerics to continue to pray for the president, Nigeria and Ogun State.
He also urged Nigerians to pray for the country and not curse it, submitting “we don’t have any other nation than Nigeria”.
Salako, however, praised the senator representing Ogun West senatorial district at the National Assembly, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola otherwise known as Yayi for transforming the socioeconomic development of the senatorial district, referring to him as a “special breed of politician”.
Earlier in his lecture, Sheikh Muliku Suleiman Mahmoud said citizens have vital roles to play in choosing their representatives by participating in political and election processes.
He added that Nigerians, particularly the youth, should go beyond complaining about bad governance and maladministration; they should ensure that they determine who governs the country.
While emphasising that religious and socio-cultural biases should not be allowed to determine the choice of leaders, the cleric said attributes and values such as honesty, credibility, integrity, empathy, humanity, probity, truthfulness, justice and accountability should be given serious consideration before choosing leaders.
