The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, has stated that President Bola Tinubu did not receive proper briefing regarding the recent killings in Benue State, leading to public misunderstanding of the President's initial response.
Speaking during a media interaction at his residence in Makurdi, Akutah emphasized that the President is committed to addressing the security challenges facing Benue State and transforming Nigeria's overall situation.
"The speed with which Mr. President responded to the issue in Benue, and from his statement, shows that he was misbriefed. He didn't have the proper briefing, and that was the reason Nigerians were angered when he spoke about the killings in Benue," Akutah explained.
He added that the situation became clearer after the governor's interview, which revealed the source of the miscommunication. "But immediately the governor gave an interview, people knew that, oh, this was the briefing Mr. President had. And this is why he said what he said. People saw where the problem was coming from."
Call for Patience with Tinubu's Administration
Akutah urged Nigerians to remain patient with President Tinubu, describing him as firm, honest, and sincere in his approach to governance. He expressed confidence that the President is working to leave a lasting legacy for the country.
"He is not the type that will just pay lip service to issues like this. He's very firm, very honest, and sincere with the Nigerian people," Akutah stated, adding that Tinubu is "an accomplished man by all standards" who is focused on building a legacy.
According to the Shippers Council CEO, the President has been actively working on building the economy, deepening democracy, and extending "hands of fellowship to many dissidents across the country" to ensure Nigeria flourishes under a new economic order.
Economic Reforms and Policy Implementation
Akutah highlighted President Tinubu's commitment to economic diversification, noting the growing contribution of the non-oil sector to the economy as a result of the President's policies.
He specifically mentioned the removal of fuel subsidies as evidence of the President's resolve to implement necessary but difficult reforms. "He promised Nigerians he was going to take out the fuel subsidy. Immediately he came in, on day one, he took it out. And you see the firmness with which he stood his ground," Akutah remarked.
The Shippers Council CEO acknowledged the current economic hardships but likened them to a necessary pain that precedes healing. "All of the past failures to confront these problems frontally have piled up to the point that what he did was like, you know, you have something stuck in your lap and somebody came to remove it. You will feel sharp pain at that point. But then, when the healing process continues, you'll see how everything will just die down and you'll have permanent healing."
He also pointed to the stabilization of the dollar exchange rate as another positive outcome of the President's economic policies.
Akutah concluded by reiterating his call for Benue residents to maintain their support for President Tinubu as he works to address the security challenges in the state and implement policies aimed at improving Nigeria's overall situation.
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