The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu is fighting the battle to save Nigeria due to his desire and commitment to make changes for the betterment of the country.
Dr Tunji-Ojo said Nigerians, especially those benefiting from the conditions and rot that kept the country down for years, are the ones resisting the changes initiated by the present administration.
Tunji-Ojo said, “In 2022, Nigeria spent 10 billion dollars on fuel subsidy, and 15 billion dollars to defend the naira against the dollar, while less than 10 billion dollars was spent on capital projects. With the removal of subsidy by the present administration and the floating of the naira, those benefiting from the status quo are now resisting the reforms with all weapons at their disposal.
“Even here in the Ministry of Interior, there are those who are resisting our reforms. They are not supporting us because we are not interested in business as usual.
“I know 100 per cent support is not possible, but we are here to institute lasting changes. How can Nigeria move forward when the largest chunk of our revenues is used to pay subsidy and defend the naira…and yet we are asking for infrastructure.”
The Minister made the remarks in Abuja shortly after the decoration of the newly appointed Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, FFS, Adeyemi Samuel Olumode, with his new rank.
Tunji-Ojo charged the newly appointed Controller General to be ready to fight battles if he intends to make lasting changes, saying people are prepared to resist his good intentions just as some people are resisting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reforms.
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The Minister described the task ahead of the new CG as daunting, stating that when lives and properties are lost in fire accidents across the country, it should be seen as a failure on the part of the Fire Service.
He said the Fire Service is one of the most critical institutions in modern societies, stating that it would therefore be impossible for Nigeria to make considerable progress in firefighting when the Fire Service is yet operating with the 1963 Act.
The Minister noted that there are certain things happening in the FFS that the government is not pleased with and would want immediate changes. He reminded the new CG of the imperative of having an efficient and effective fire Service that would stand the test of time, saying the CG should draw inspiration from the roles played by the American Fire Service in the City of New York during the September 11 terrorist attacks.
He said the CG should picture where the Fire Service is today and where he would take to in the near future, emphasising that the CG should justify his appointment by President Tinubu to write a script of positive legacy and achievements in the agency.
Tunji-Ojo, who commended President Bola Tinubu for his support and approval of the appointment of the new CG, also reminded him that all the para-military agencies in the Ministry, their leaders and Board members work as a team to deliver the reforms initiated by the administration.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, enjoined the CG to do his job with professionalism, loyalty and forthrightness to enable him to succeed, warning that the job of a CG is not for awarding contracts.
She said the CG should not allow himself to be pressured by anyone for contracts or any favour that would undermine his call of duty, as to whom much is given, much is expected.
The Controller General appreciated President Bola Tinubu, the Minister and top officials of the Ministry for their support and encouragement, assuring that he would build on the foundations of good records left behind by his predecessors.
CG Olumode, who promised to Institute far-reaching changes in the FFS, said his administration would vigorously pursue ventures that would change the narratives of the agency for the better.
