In a powerful address that resonated through the historic Cathedral Church of St. Peter in Abeokuta, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun called for nationwide unity and constructive engagement with the federal government as Nigeria marks its 64th Independence Day. Speaking on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at a special church service, Governor Abiodun made a passionate plea for dialogue over the planned October 1st “Fearless” protest, while staunchly defending President Bola Tinubu’s controversial subsidy removal policy.
As the early morning sun filtered through the stained glass windows of the cathedral, Governor Abiodun took to the pulpit, addressing a congregation of over 500 worshippers, including state officials and religious leaders. The air was thick with anticipation as he began his speech at 10:15 AM.
“Let us not join those who continue to fan the flames of discord in our land,” Abiodun urged, his voice echoing through the centuries-old church. “Those who are calling for protests, violence, and civil disobedience… let us engage constructively and work with the government, knowing that this administration is an inclusive one.”
In a bold move, Governor Abiodun threw his weight behind President Tinubu’s controversial subsidy removal policy. He presented a compelling economic argument:
“Mr. President removed the subsidy, which, if not curbed, would have cost us N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024,” Abiodun stated, his words met with murmurs of both approval and concern from the congregation. “We have been busy subsidizing our neighbors; these are funds that can be invested in improving our infrastructure and other social services.”
Recognizing the hardships faced by many Nigerians, Governor Abiodun outlined several state-level initiatives aimed at easing the economic burden:
- Deployment of CNG buses
- Launch of an energy transition program featuring e-bikes
- Reduction of workdays for civil servants from five to three days
- Provision of free medical services for the poor and elderly
“We will soon complete our farmers’ markets across the four zones of the state, where food items will be sold at affordable prices,” Abiodun announced, drawing applause from the attendees. “Very soon, you will see our Gateway Trading Company that will start selling different items in different zones across the four zones of the state at wholesale prices.”
The church service also featured a powerful sermon by Rt. Rev’d Dr. Akinwande Odubena, Diocesan Bishop of Ijebu North Anglican Diocese. Titled “Leading Our Nation Forward in a Time Like This: Lessons from Elisha’s Leadership,” Bishop Odubena’s message struck a chord with many.
“Nigeria is currently dealing with hyper-inflation, problems of oil theft, vandalism, an increase in unemployment that has given birth to internet fraud, insecurity, infrastructure challenges, and kidnapping among others,” the Bishop noted solemnly. “But we must remain hopeful for a better Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.”
Outside the cathedral, opinions among local residents were divided. Mary Adeyemi, a 45-year-old schoolteacher, expressed skepticism: “The governor’s words sound nice, but will these initiatives really help us common people? The prices of everything keep going up.”
On the other hand, Oluwaseun Ogunleye, a 32-year-old entrepreneur, was more optimistic: “I think the governor is trying his best. If the money saved from subsidies is truly invested in infrastructure, it could be good for business in the long run.”
As the service concluded and attendees filed out of the cathedral, the atmosphere was one of cautious hope mixed with lingering concerns. Governor Abiodun’s message of unity and constructive engagement will be put to the test in the coming days, particularly as the planned October 1st protest looms on the horizon.
The governor’s support for the subsidy removal policy, coupled with his local initiatives, represent a delicate balancing act between national economic reforms and local welfare concerns. As Nigeria celebrates its 64th year of independence, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether these policies can indeed lead to the promised economic turnaround.
For now, as the bells of St. Peter’s Cathedral faded into the bustling streets of Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun’s words lingered in the air: “Let us be resilient, let us continue to pray, let us persevere, and let us hold on to our faith in Almighty God.” Only time will tell if this faith, combined with policy actions, will be enough to navigate Nigeria through its current economic challenges.
