President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed why he would always take tough policy decision in his governing the country.
Tinubu made this known while speaking in The Netherlands yesterday, Thursday.
He said, “I am ever ready to take tough decisions in the best interest of the people, even if with initial pains.”
The President made the remark in Hague, The Netherlands during the business session. The Nigerian leader held a bilateral meeting with the Dutch team led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
After the meeting, The Netherlands promised an investment worth $250 million in Nigeria in the next few months. This was revealed by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
Recall that President Tinubu, on his assumption of office on May 29, 2023, declared that “subsidy is gone”. In June of same year, he made a pronouncement that was followed by the unification of exchange rates.
However, speaking at the meeting in The Netherlands, Tinubu said: “I am a determined leader of my people.
“I have and will continue to take the difficult decisions that will benefit our people. Even if there is short-term pain.
“We have gone through the worst of the storms. I am unafraid of the consequences once I know that my actions are in the best long-term interests of all Nigerians.
“The Nigerian Naira is one of the world’s best-performing currencies today.
“We took the necessary risk. And all resilient Nigerians kept faith with us.
“They will be rewarded. And the reward will only be greater as we partner effectively with you on new opportunities for development.
“As leaders, we must make decisions for the benefit of our nations, and we cannot shy away from that.”
The President expressed firm commitment to the developmental partnership between Nigeria and the European Union (EU).
He noted that the symbiotic economic ties remain the best long-term path to sustainable and mutual prosperity. Which is far better than one-sided relationships in which bilateral trade is skewed too much in one direction.
Speaking at the occasion, The Netherland Prime Minister, Rutte acknowledged the positive impacts of Tinubu’s reforms.
Rutte said: “You are promoting democratic governance and the solutions it can bring in dealing with problems of development.
“I saw how you went through democratic channels to remove an incumbent President in 2015 in partnership with President Muhammadu Buhari. And how that has led to development in your country.
“I saw you take the courageous decisions to deal with fuel subsidies and other reforms. And we are interested in what allowed you to take the decisions that many before you could not take. And you took those decisions early in your term. It shows rare determination. And your stand in ECOWAS, all of these point to your commitment to leadership.”
Satisfied with President Tinubu’s economic reforms, Rutte, therefore, unfolded plans by Dutch businessmen to invest $250 million in Nigeria.
The PM said the investments would be activated over the next few months. These include the establishment of a $100 million stake in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos.
Addressing the business community in The Netherlands, President Tinubu listed the immense opportunities available in the country. The President, therefore, restated his Administration’s commitment to deepening ongoing reforms in the country. He noted that this will further enhance the investment climate.
Tinubu informed that Nigeria is well-positioned to power the clean energy future of Europe and the world with its high-grade lithium deposits.
He, however, stated that Nigeria seeks robust, balanced and mutually beneficial partnerships. Partnership that will bring about value-addition in areas like solid minerals.
“Taking a holistic view of the world order, there is a tremendous opportunity between us across trade spheres but especially in solid minerals. Where we have high-grade lithium deposits that we know can power the clean energy future of the world.
“There is excellent value-additive opportunity in Nigeria. The world knows us for oil. They will soon know us for greater innovative exploits in other areas.
“We have an extremely dynamic youth population in Nigeria. It is a young country.
“Seventy per cent of our people are under the age of 30 and when we are referring to 200 million plus citizens. It represents both a massive workforce and a massive market for Dutch and other international investors.
“If our young people know they can achieve a good future in Nigeria, they will stay home and build our nation to greatness.
“Lawful migration of trained Nigerian minds and hands will be a benefit to Europe. And irregular migration will no longer be a source of fear in Europe if we partner effectively.
“This is what we want. And it is why we are adamant about providing student loans and new credit opportunities. To not only enhance the skills of our people, but, also, to ensure that they can access a higher quality of life within their legitimate incomes.
“We will transform our economy, and our young people will be the reason,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu asserted that the confidence Nigerians had in themselves encouraged him to make some tough decisions on their behalf. He added that the citizens need long-term tools to succeed.
Source: The Nation
