Jamiu Abiola, Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, has emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to listening to the concerns of Nigerians, countering criticisms that the government is unresponsive.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Abiola described the current administration as one that genuinely cares about the well-being of its citizens, noting that the president has repeatedly demonstrated a deep understanding of the public’s struggles.
He also stressed the president’s openness to feedback and his history of accessibility.
“This government is a government that has shown so much love for Nigerians because of the fact that the government realises that Nigerians are victims of broken promises. Nigeria’s problem did not start today. When this government came, the president said it himself that he feels the pains of Nigerians. What is actually paining me personally is for people to think that they cannot reach out to the president.
“This is a man that before he became the president, you would go to his house and you will see people lined up. He has always been helping people. He is somebody that has always been getting feedback. That feedback mechanism is in-built in him. That is who he is. He is somebody that listens.
“He is a man these protesters would have always reached out to. He has an open-door policy, so, why do you have to break into a door when the door is not locked?”
Abiola also highlighted the president’s proactive measures in addressing critical issues, citing recent actions to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta and the implementation of a Youth Investment Fund.
The Special Assistant further pointed out the administration’s efforts to alleviate hunger through the release of grains from the strategic reserve and the introduction of student loans.
“We have a president that is trying to solve real problems. Look at it, he has spoken to the security agencies and now there is operation going on in the Niger Delta and now the oil theft has been tackled. We can keep talking about addressing people from here till tomorrow, I am sure he is looking into that.
“There is a youth investment fund, a hundred and twenty billion naira. That youth investment fund will create so much avenue for the youth and again the national sovereign fund has released $220M to Nigerian tech companies so that they can boost the youth towards innovation. This is something that has never been done by any president in Nigeria before, and then there is the student loan.
“So, why should Nigerians lose any hope, when they have somebody that is doing all these things? The hunger is real and the president sees that and that is why he took out forty-two thousand from the strategic reserve of the grains. Nigerians have to be more patient.”
On the topic of recent growing ethnic sentiments and the president’s perceived silence, Abiola defended the president’s character, describing him as having a “big heart” and a deep love for all Nigerians.
He also highlighted the peaceful acceptance of electoral results in Lagos as a testament to the president’s impartiality.
“The president is somebody with a big heart. Even when the election came up and Peter Obi won in Lagos, there was no contest about it. Nobody said he didn’t win. At the end of the day, the president loves everybody.”
Chioma Kalu
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