Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold and audacious steps in removing subsidies and ensuring that market forces determine exchange rates rather than the government.

Governor Abiodun said the President’s decision is already yielding results, with a downward trend in the prices of food, fuel, and inflation, especially during Ramadan.

Speaking at the Special Iftar (Breaking of Fast) with the League of Imams and Alfas at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, the governor noted that this is the first time in Nigeria’s history that food prices and other commodities have decreased during Ramadan.

“Recently, I was commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for doing what other presidents before him couldn’t do.

“On your first day in office, you removed the subsidy. Subsequently, regarding the issue of exchange rates, some were buying at different rates; you removed the government’s hand and declared that market forces must henceforth determine the rate of exchange. Because of that, we now have a unified exchange rate.

“Looking at it, 20 to 22 months down the road, to the glory of God, with your wisdom, tenacity, foresight, and your Renewed Hope Initiative, this is the first time in the history of this country that we will be fasting while food prices are coming down.

“The prices of food items are actually on a downward trend. Exchange rates have been stable over the last 15-16 months and are now predictable.

“Inflation, which we all feared, is also coming down. The price of petrol is dropping every week. I congratulate him on this feat,” he said.

The governor also credited the religious tolerance in Ogun State to faith leaders, who have guided the faithful and youths through inspiring messages of hope, love, and peace.

He noted that since becoming governor in 2019, the state has not experienced any crisis related to religious intolerance.

The League of Imams and Alfas, he said, has played a significant role in ensuring that Ogun youths are well-behaved, allowing his administration to govern without disturbances.

“The messages of the clerics have helped soften the hearts of many youths in the state and have also made them partners in our developmental drive.

“We have enjoyed religious tolerance in Ogun State; there has been no crisis related to religious intolerance. Christians practice their faith, Muslims practice theirs, and we all coexist peacefully.

“As you speak to our children in the mosques, your words shape their behavior. That is what has allowed us in government to conduct affairs smoothly. Without peace, we cannot govern; without peace, there can be no meaningful development in the state.

“I want to thank our grand chief imams and all imams and alfas for preaching peace, guiding our youths, mentoring them, and ensuring religious tolerance across all faiths in Ogun State. This has greatly contributed to our socio-economic development as a state,” he said.

Governor Abiodun also promised that the Secretariat for the League of Imams and Alfas, which his administration pledged to build, would be completed and commissioned before the end of his tenure.

The Asiwaju Adeen of Ogun State, Alhaji Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelogun, commended the governor for creating an enabling environment for religious tolerance in the state