Olayomi Koiki

Abuja – The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday morning to address the imminent nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria set for August 1.

The meeting comes on the heels of Tinubu’s recent appeal to protest organisers, urging them to delay the demonstrations and allow his administration more time to implement people-oriented programmes.

The circular released on Tuesday indicated that the meeting invitation was extended to all ministers, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. Additionally, Special Advisers to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman; Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, were also invited.

The circular, titled “Planned Nationwide Protest” and dated July 23, 2024, was signed by Richard Pheelangwah, the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office.

The statement read: “I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.

“Attendance is mandatory. Please, accept the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

Tinubu had urged Nigerian youths to call off their planned protest and wait for the government to address their concerns.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this to State House correspondents on Tuesday after meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“On the issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that. He asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas,” he said.

“So, there is no need for a strike. The young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realisation of all the goodies he has for them.”

Idris said the president took the protesters’ grievances seriously and was committed to ensuring a better future for Nigeria.

He cited the swift passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill by the National Assembly and the recent approval and distribution of grains to state governments as evidence of the president’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

“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.

“For example, you saw that the Federal Government approve grains and rice for state governments, it was delivered to them expeditiously also.

“Like I said the other time, it is just the necessary first step; the government is going to continue in that direction, supporting them and ensuring that whatever interventions the Federal Government has put in place go to those that should benefit. It is very important that is being put out.

“The Federal Government is looking at strategies that every intervention would go directly to those who benefit from those interventions, not middlemen intervening along the way.”

Idris highlighted President Tinubu’s strong commitment to the newly established Student Loan Board, which seeks to guarantee that all eligible students have access to higher education.

“It is no longer a time for all of us to stay back and see our young able-bodied men and women that have passed the examinations to go to tertiary institutions that have not been able to do that because their parents are not able to pay for their fees.

“This is a thing of the past, the government is very desirous of ensuring that happens. You know the provision that was made to NELFUND (Nigerian Education Loan Fund). Already, we have excess of what is required today and the more the people are requiring that, the more the President will also give.”

“It was perfecting a scheme to support young graduates who were yet to secure employment after completing their National Youth Service programme.

“The initiative reflects the administration’s dedication to ensuring that no one is left behind in its pursuit of progress.

The minister added: “There is also the intervention the President is working out for those young men and women who have finished school, but who are yet to get employed, post-NYSC.

“For example, there is a scheme the government is perfecting now and that is also going to be pushed fast so that all those young men and women who have finished school, graduates of universities and polytechnics that are unable to get jobs, they will continue to be supported by the government until such a time that those jobs are offered to them.

“The whole idea is that no one is left behind, it’s an all-inclusive government and the President is determined to ensure that no one is left behind in this his attempt to march Nigeria towards progress.”

Nigeria is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with skyrocketing inflation, a national currency in free-fall and millions of people struggling to buy food. Only two years ago Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria is projected to drop to fourth place this year.

The pain is widespread. Unions strike to protest salaries of around $20 a month. People die in stampedes, desperate for free sacks of rice. Hospitals are overrun with women wracked by spasms from calcium deficiencies.

The crisis is largely believed to be rooted in two major changes implemented by a president elected 14 months ago: the partial removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the currency, which together have caused major price rises.

A nation of entrepreneurs, Nigeria’s more than 200 million citizens are skilled at managing in tough circumstances, without the services states usually provide. They generate their own electricity and source their own water. They take up arms and defend their communities when the armed forces cannot. They negotiate with armed kidnappers when family members are abducted.

But right now, their resourcefulness is being stretched to the limit.

Some folks are planning protests to voice their concerns about the economic situation, including rising inflation and poverty, under President Tinubu’s administration.

The protests are expected to happen in the north and other parts of the country, but residents and leaders of the south-eastern region, inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group – have made it clear that they are not going to be part of the mass action.

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