The Nigerian government has made an earnest appeal to its citizens to refrain from participating in the nationwide protest scheduled for Wednesday, August 1. The plea was made by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during a press conference in Abuja attended by key federal officials.
Addressing Economic and Security Challenges
Senator Akume emphasized that protests are not a solution to the nation’s challenges, which the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working tirelessly to address. He highlighted the administration’s commitment to economic prosperity, which he described as the “engine that drives progress, lifts families from poverty, and builds strong, resilient societies.” Akume explained that the administration inherited an economy requiring urgent, bold, and imaginative reforms. Policy measures, including the removal of an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime, were necessary. While these actions have led to unexpected adjustments impacting all facets of the economy, they were crucial for long-term stability.
The administration also inherited a longstanding security situation needing significant upgrades. Akume detailed efforts to enhance security architecture, infrastructure, systems, and personnel capacity. These measures aim to secure lives and property, build investor confidence, and increase food production by ensuring safe environments for communities.
Government’s Efforts and Achievements
Akume outlined several accomplishments by the Tinubu administration within its 14 months in office, demonstrating efforts to lay a foundation for immediate, medium, and long-term prosperity. These include economic support measures such as the release of five billion Naira to each state to cushion the impact of subsidy removal, prioritizing the poor, vulnerable, and elderly. Additionally, the administration approved a Wage Award of Thirty-five Thousand Naira for six months to support workers, higher than the previous minimum wage, and enacted a new National Minimum Wage Act, prescribing N70,000, effective from April.
To reduce food costs, the government distributed twenty trailer loads of assorted grains per state and removed tariffs on imported food items. Highly subsidized farm inputs, including fertilizers, were provided to boost food production. In terms of infrastructure and industrial development, roads and critical infrastructure are being developed nationwide to ease movement and stimulate economic growth. The Bank of Industry is supported to fund MSMEs in the industrial sector, and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Plan was unveiled as an economic catalyst. The expansion of railway infrastructure aims to facilitate affordable transportation.
Social safety net programs have also been a focus, with over 15 million indigent, poor, and vulnerable families benefiting from family support cash grants. Moreover, the government is pursuing local government autonomy to ensure grassroots development and financial independence. In youth and livestock development, the administration established a standalone Ministry for Youth to address their specific needs and implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, benefiting over 40,000 students. The Ministry for Livestock Development was created to boost protein access and agricultural exports.
Call for Peace and Dialogue
Akume stressed the government’s recognition of the right to peaceful protest but warned of the potential for such protests to be hijacked by criminals. He urged Nigerians to prioritize peace, dialogue, and collaboration in addressing national challenges. “We appeal to Nigerians to shun calls for protest against hunger by prioritizing peace and progress,” Akume said. “The government is wary of the dangers associated with protests that can be hijacked by bandits and insurgents. We request that dialogue should be advanced, and we remain open to such.”
He reassured citizens that ongoing economic hardships would soon abate and called for collective efforts to create a peaceful and stable Nigeria where economic growth becomes a tangible outcome. Akume concluded by stating that together, Nigerians could build a nation where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but realities, and where economic growth is not just a goal but a tangible outcome.
Source: Vanguard
