Pastor Sam Adeyemi Kicks Against Fuel Subsidy

Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi, has joined the myriad of voices calling on the Nigerian Federal Government to shelve its plans to remove oil subsidy, saying that it will only enrich a few millionaires.

At a press conference on Thursday to discuss a three-day leadership conference which his church is hosting between Wednesday 9 and Friday 11 November, the clergyman argued that while those against and for fuel subsidy removal have valid arguments, dishonesty and corruption will make consequences of fuel subsidy removal dire for ordinary Nigerians .

“Both sides have valid arguments. But, as it is now, if the fuel subsidy is removed, it’s only the millionaires, the rich who will benefit the most even though the idea in itself is not bad,” Adeyemi said.

He reasoned that Nigerians find it hard to believe that the government will genuinely use the money it intends to save from fuel subsidy removal for infrastructure development.

On the upcoming leadership conference known as “The Excellence In Leadership Conference 2011” to be held at Daystar Headquarters in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, Adeyemi disclosed that speakers at the free event this year will include, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Tonye Cole, co-founder of the Sahara Group, Olatunde Agbato, President, Animal Care Services Konsult Limited and Abally Johnson, President of Achievers Consortium.

He said that the conference expounds leadership principles that help multiply people’s effectiveness and capacity to influence their environment.

—Simon Ateba