Bola Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, has urged young people in his country to postpone their preparations for the August 1 nationwide demonstration. Different stakeholders have responded differently to the protest, which aims to raise awareness of the nation’s mounting food shortage and economic difficulties.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In his statement, President Tinubu acknowledged the concerns of the youth and promised to address them through interventions and inclusive governance. He also assured that steps have already been taken, such as the passage of a new minimum wage of N70,000 and the dispatch of trucks of rice to all states in the country, to alleviate the current economic situation.
The President’s appeal comes amidst support from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who stated that peaceful protests are a constitutional right. However, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has warned against any form of lawlessness and disorder arising from the protests.
In a related development, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, has threatened to sue the special adviser to Tinubu on Communications and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, for accusing him of being one of the brains behind the protest. The All Progressives Congress (APC), in response to Obi’s threat, dismissed his assessment of the country’s economy as based on half-truths and misinformation.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security has expressed concerns that the planned protests could be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives and turn violent. This has prompted the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to slam the organizers of the protest, stating that Tinubu is not responsible for the country’s hunger.
In a separate statement, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, urged Nigerians to be patient with the Tinubu-led federal government, assuring that efforts are being made to address the economic challenges brought about by the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, students from various tertiary institutions in Lagos have distanced themselves from the planned protest and instead proposed a solidarity walk with the government of the state.
In a press briefing after a meeting with the President at the State House in Abuja, Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, stated that President Tinubu takes the concerns of the youths seriously and is working tirelessly to make the country better. He urged the youths to exercise patience and allow the President more time to fulfill his promises.
The Minister also highlighted some of the interventions already put in place by the Tinubu administration, including the new minimum wage, distribution of rice to all states, and the recent launch of the Student Loans Fund.
In conclusion, President Tinubu’s appeal to the youths to shelve their plans for a nationwide protest and his promise of interventions to address their concerns show a commitment to addressing the current challenges facing the country. As the government works towards implementing these interventions, it is important for all stakeholders to exercise patience and support efforts towards a better Nigeria.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>