President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday urged Nigerians to shun the planned nationwide Protests planned by #EndBadGovernance group, over economic challenges facing the country.
Meanwhile, ministers and special advisers to the president are to meet on the issue Wednesday a circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah, dated July 23, 2024, and titled, ‘Planned Nationwide Protest, has revealed.
The President who spoke through Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, at the State House , Abuja, said his administration is doing everything necessary to tackle the nation’s economic challenges and called on the citizens to exercise patience.
Says Unemployed graduates to enjoy monthly stipend
The Minister revealed that the Tinubu administration is working on plans that will see government give grants to employed graduates, after their National Youth Service Corp program, until they secure employment.
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Idris, speaking after meeting with the President, said the regular meeting was also used to discuss issues affecting several sector’s of the economy, including some government parastatals such as the NTA, FRCN ,NAN and VON.
“We have discussed all that and we have also arrived at situations that will help their position as public information platforms of the country.
“They should be in the forefront and they are we are doing everything possible to make sure that they are being repositioned so that they can serve Nigeria very well.
“We also discussed the issue of the country generally and Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them especially the young people that are trying to protest. Mr President , he listens to them he takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future.
Speaking on the planned protest, Idris said ” The President does not see any need for that
He asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await government’s response to all their pleas ,he has listened to them like I said
The Minister, while highlighting efforts to ameliorate the sufferings, said ” already, a lot is happening. Only today the NASS has expeditiously passed the bill on National minimum wage you can see how the President is working. It was transmitted only yesterday today it has been passed.
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“A lot of other interventions that the President has also put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously in the interest of Nigerians so there is no need for strike the young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realization of all the goodies he has for them
“The FG approved grains and rice for state govts it was delivered to them expeditiously,” he said.
He assured that the government is going to continue in that direction supporting them and assuring that whatever intervention the FG has put in place go to those that should benefit, it is very important that is being put out.
He also disclosed that the government is looking at strategies to ensure that every intervention would go directly to to those who benefit from those interventions not middle men intervening along the way.
“You heard about the student loan board launched by Mr President, Mr President is very passionate about that deepening that everyone that should go to work will have the opportunity to go to school.
” It is no longer a time for all of us to stay back and see our young able body men and women who have passed the examinations to go to tertiary institutions that have not been able to do that because there parent are not able to pay for their fees ,this is a thing of the past, as government is very very desirous to ensure that happens.
” You know that provision has been made to the Nigeria Education Loan fund, NELFUND already and we have in excess of what is required. Today, if more people are requiring the money, the President will also give .
He also revealed that the President is also making intervention the President is making for young men and women who have graduated from school and who are yet to get employed after their NYSC for example.
“There is a scheme the government is perfecting now and that will be pushed very fast so that all those young men and women who have graduated from universities and polytechnics that are not able to get jobs ,they will continue to be supported by the govt until such a time that those jobs are offered to them.
“The whole idea is that no one is left behind. It is an all inclusive government and the President is determined to ensure that no one is left behind in this is attempt to march Nigeria towards progress”.
