President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to rush solutions to the country’s problems, saying that he is only making “baby steps of pains” to do so.
The president added that it is up to Nigerians to make sure that the nation reaches its intended goal.
During a visit to the State’s traditional leaders, Tinubu made this statement at the palace of Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland.
Before traveling to Abeokuta to meet with the Alake of Egbaland, Tinubu met with the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, at his palace in Ijebu. Tinubu was in Ogun State to pay a special visit to two traditional rulers in the state.
At precisely 10.18 am, Tinubu, who arrived on a presidential helicopter operated by the Nigerian Air Force (5N FG2), touched down at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in the Ijebu-Ode region of the State.
After addressing the crowd at the palace, the president met behind closed doors for almost an hour with the Awujale.
Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, and Dele Alake, the spokesperson, were all in attendance.
Speaking at the Alake of Egbaland’s palace after being welcomed by Dapo Abiodun, the state governor; former governors of the state, Senators Ibikunle Amosun and Segun Osoba; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, among others, Tinubu said he now understands what it takes to be a leader.
He begged Nigerians to go with him through what he called the baby steps of pain.
He said “at least, we delivered, despite the hardship of no money, no fuel, I credit you, thank you. I don’t know that it will be like this, I just wanted to sneak in and sneak out, to greet kabiyesi now, I know exactly what it is to be a president.
“Having achieved the prayer point of ‘Emi lokan’ and then being here, I have redeemed a pledge that I will be back with victory and the crown.
“Now, what I ask for is prayers that will help the country and we are determined to help our country, to steer the ship of the nation, build a good team, be positive for this country, and deliver on all the promises that I have made.
“The hope is recharged, is here. That hope will never fade. That hope will recharge your life in a positive manner.
“I’m here still making that pledge of the campaign promise that there is no difference between us and any members of the Nigerian family.
“I have seen that in France during this discussion and we are the children of the same parents living in the same house, we are only sleeping in different rooms, just recognize that.
” Let us be united, no distraction, we will arrive at the destination, a positive destination for this country and it is all in our hands to make history and I promise that.
“We will see positive changes as we move along, just go through these baby’s steps of pain, baby steps of pain, I’m taking baby steps as the President, not matching in a hurry, being ready to listen, maintaining an open door policy, let the freedom flow, let the confidence return to Nigeria.
“This country is the only country that we have. I have been a refugee, I know what it is to be a refugee in another country and my green passport is what I still have now.
“We need your prayers, we need your support, we need your interventions to get our people’s change of mind so that the economic prosperity of this country being opening up will affect all of us positively.”
