Subsidy removal: Veteran journalist seeks media support for Tinubu

GBENGA OLARINOYE, Ilorin

A veteran journalist and former special adviser on strategy to Kwara State governor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, has enjoined journalists in the country to enlighten Nigerians on the gains of fuel subsidy removal.

He said the government’s decision to withdraw fuel subsidy was in the interest of the highest number of citizens as against the few billionaires who were the sole beneficiaries of the subsidy payments.

Salahu, a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) made the appeal while addressing members of the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), Kwara State’s chapter during their monthly meeting in Ilorin, the state capital.

He added: “President Bola Tinubu took the bold step so as to make sure Nigeria takes its rightful position as the leader and giant of Africa in the comity of nations.”

He emphasised that the subsidy on fuel had only made a handful of people billionaires at the detriment of the larger members of society. 

Salahu, therefore,  urged the Nigerian media to deploy all within their capacity to sell and support President Tinubu’s government and leadership. 

“I implore all the media organisations and bodies to employ everything within their means to support the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency and the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s government;  and leadership of the Governors’ Forum, especially as the government is still working towards bringing succour to the citizenry through various palliatives that are being considered.

He noted that the recent recognition of Kwara State governor with the national honour of CON, his emergence as chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), as well as his election for a second term, were a result of his exemplary leadership qualities and achievements open to all through positive media projection.

Salahu who said that “the government of Governor AbdulRazaq has enjoyed unprecedented support from the press in Kwara, also commended the governor for being the first State Governor to have appointed the largest number of media practitioners into various political positions in the State”.

He expressed gratitude to journalists in the state for their support of AbdulRazaq’s administration.