President Bola Tinubu says he knows what it takes to govern the country and “gather a very good team and build a nation”.
Tinubu spoke in Enugu on Saturday during a meeting with stakeholders from the south-east geopolitical zone.
The president was in Enugu on his first official visit to inaugurate projects initiated by Peter Mbah, governor of the state.
The projects inaugurated include 30 smart green schools, 60 completed type 2 primary health centres, and the 19-kilometre Airport-New Haven–Bisalla and Okpara Square roads.
During the meeting, Tinubu told the south-east stakeholders that the removal of petrol subsidy was “necessary” to build the nation and protect the interests of future generations.
The president said he understands the difficult nature of his work before contesting the 2023 elections.
“You are all members of one big, huge family called Nigeria but living in different rooms in the same house,” Tinubu said.
“This house, we must build it. Build it to satisfy our immediate need, which is not going to be enough yet but for tomorrow too. That is why the removal of the first subsidy was necessary.
“You cannot spend the future of generations yet unborn in advance. Don’t bankrupt the nation before they are born.
“I know people will fight, grumble, and abuse me, and everything, but I asked for the job. I know what it takes. I believe in myself, and I believe I can gather a very good team and build a nation.
“It is our country. We have to work really hard for it to build a nation that we can be proud of. Change the narrative—negative comment about Nigeria. I’m not taking that (negative comment). I’m very proud of Nigeria. You all should be proud of Nigeria.”