The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has said that President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural media chat has proved his sound grasp of an economy that works for the collective prosperity of Nigerians
In a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG said that the president’s bold assertions on the efficacy of ongoing reforms are inspiring and commendable.
It said: “With 18 months in office, the Presidential media chat offered Nigerians the first great opportunity to hear President Bola Tinubu’s unscripted sound bite on the economy and his reforms.
“For us, it was a performance that showed a sound grasp of the economy, its direction, and the expected positive outcomes of the ongoing reforms.
“There are already several sound bites and quotes from the media chats that aptly capture President Tinubu’s economic policies for anyone who is still in doubt about his perspectives.
“For instance, we see the President’s firm stance on the removal of fuel subsidy as soon as he assumed office as a bold one that is indeed meant to preserve the country’s future.
“And while many people would have seen price control as a means of taming food inflation in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal, the President’s emphatic dismissal of such suggestion during the media chat is instructive.
“It showed a President who dares to drive his conviction. It shows a leader determined to allow the interplay of the forces of demand and supply. Perhaps most defining is his affirmation that providing food in surplus for domestic consumption is the ultimate answer to food inflation in the country.
“Tied to this is the President’s Agriculture mechanisation programme which involves the establishment of a local assembly plant for tractors, harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs, and other farm equipment, which has a 2025 time frame for completion.
“We also find it interesting that the President brought, into the discourse, one of the takeaways from his recent visit to Brazil where he secured a $2.5bn investment from JBS one of the world’s largest meat packaging companies.
“Aside from the economic benefit of the investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector, many Nigerians have failed to realize that it was an investment that came within a few months of President Tinubu’s decision to create a Ministry of Livestock Development.
“This also speaks to his position during the media chat about the decision to create additional ministries and the efficiency of his cabinet.
“We dare say that apart from the Livestock Development ministry, other new ministries like Marine and Blue Economy and the Creative Economy are a reflection of his clear-headedness in a changing world of multiple opportunities.”
TMSG also touched on President Tinubu’s tax reform proposals as well as his reaffirmation of the plan to reduce the current inflation rate by more than 50 per cent.
“Like many Nigerians, we are enthused by the President’s audacious assertion of his intention to reduce the inflation rate from 34.6% to 15%, and we make bold to say that he would prove sceptics wrong.
“As for the proposed tax reforms, it takes a man who understands how the economy works to push for the sort of reforms that underline the tax bills currently before the National Assembly.
“The President boldly affirmed that the reform is pro-poor contrary to the stark picture painted by opposition politicians and sceptics.
“He is also realistic enough to know that there might be some concessions in some parts of the proposed tax reform that are contentious,” the group added.
TMSG urged Nigerians to see President Tinubu’s performance at the media chat as an expression of confidence in the efficacy of his economic policies.
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