In a renewed appeal to the public, the Federal Government has urged Nigerians to reconsider participating in the nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday, August 1. At a press conference in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, addressed concerns about the economic hardships currently facing the country and emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving these issues.
Akume, flanked by key Federal government officials, reassured Nigerians that the current economic challenges are being actively addressed. He urged citizens to prioritize peace and dialogue over protests, citing concerns that demonstrations could be exploited by criminals and insurgents.
“We appeal to Nigerians of all backgrounds to forgo the planned protests and choose the path of peace and dialogue,” Akume stated. He acknowledged the right to peaceful assembly but stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could lead to instability or violence.
Highlighting the administration’s efforts to mitigate economic struggles, Akume outlined several relief measures introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. These include:
- N5 Billion Allocation: The release of N5 billion to each state to ease the impact of subsidy removal on vulnerable populations.
- Wage Award: A temporary wage award of N35,000 for workers over six months, in addition to a new National Minimum Wage Act setting a new minimum wage of N70,000, effective from April.
- Food Security Measures: Distribution of 20 trailer loads of assorted grains per state and removal of tariffs on imported food items to lower food prices.
- Agricultural Support: Provision of fertilizers at subsidized rates and the release of 64 trailer loads of fertilizers to each state to boost agricultural production.
Akume acknowledged that the administration inherited a challenging economic and security situation but emphasized the government’s commitment to long-term prosperity through ongoing reforms and strategic investments.
“The administration is working tirelessly to address accumulated challenges and improve the lives of Nigerians,” Akume concluded. He called for continued patience and collaboration as the government implements its strategies to foster economic stability and growth.
