Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wahab Shittu, has emphasized the necessity for the Federal Government to couple the removal of fuel subsidy with enhancements in its social welfare protection programs. Shittu believes that this approach is crucial to ensure the success of the reforms and their positive impact on the economy and the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at the second Mohammed Fawehinmi Annual Lecture and maiden Scholarship event at Nigeria Law Publication House in Alausa, Lagos State, Shittu highlighted that achieving a balance between these elements would alleviate the heavy burdens currently borne by the masses. He further suggested that governments should curtail expenditures to facilitate the effective implementation of the subsidy removal.
Shittu also recalled that major presidential candidates had previously concurred on the need to eliminate fuel subsidies. He pointed out that these candidates shared the view that fuel subsidy had bred corruption and disproportionately enriched a select few at the expense of the general Nigerian populace.
While opponents of the removal raised concerns about the timing and the lack of adequate measures to mitigate its impact, Shittu argued that the true challenge lies not in the removal itself, but in the successful execution of policies that ensure a positive impact on people’s welfare.
To address these issues, Shittu advocated for well-thought-out palliative measures that would alleviate the effects of the subsidy removal on the masses. Additionally, he recommended that the reported $1.23 billion saved in the two months following the removal be reinvested into sectors such as education, healthcare, transportation, and social welfare.
Adesina Adegbite, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), paid tribute to Mohammed Fawehinmi’s legacy as a fervent advocate for the masses. He highlighted that Mohammed, much like his father Chief Gani Fawehinmi, had a deep concern for the welfare of the people.
Mrs. Basirat Fawehinmi-Biobaku, the daughter of the late law icon, echoed this sentiment, stating that Mohammed’s dedication to the welfare of the less privileged was his most significant legacy. She recounted how he celebrated his 60th birthday by sharing a meal with beggars at their Ikeja GRA home.
Yinka Olatunji, the Chairman of the lecture, explained that the theme, “Removal of Fuel Subsidy and its Impact on Nigerian Masses,” was chosen due to the prevalent hardships and economic challenges faced by the people. He remarked that this topic would have been a part of Mohammed’s ongoing social crusade if he were alive, underscoring Mohammed’s commitment to supporting the less fortunate through tangible actions.
