By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s First Lady has said the report that she is hosting a national prayer to seek God’s presence for the revival of the nation’s ailing economy is misleading.
Reports had emerged that Remi Tinubu was collaborating with others to hold prayers in Abuja over the country’s situations with the economy at the forefront.
The First Lady, a former member of the Senate, through her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi described the reports as not only misleading but also unfounded.
“This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, is not organizing a National Prayer,” she said in a Saturday statement.
“The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms is unfounded and misleading. Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.”
Warning people to verify the authenticity of news about her principal, Busola, however, said the First Lady understands the importance of praying for the country.
“Whilst the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly. She also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe or tongue,” the media aide added.
Nigeria has faced a record economic difficulty since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. He had campaigned with a “Renewed Hope” slogan, but the feeling among majority of Nigerians is that the hope has not renewed.
He had on assumption of office announced that “fuel subsidy is gone”, leading to over 100 percent increase in transportation as well as increase in inflation rate.
This was exacerbated by the unification of forex window, twin economic policies faulted by analysts as “overkill”.
Nigerians have endured a long wait for reduction in inflation rate put at 32.7% at the end of September.
