BY EDMOND ODOK – With mobilisation entering top gear across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday pleaded with Nigerians to give him more time and shelve the planned protest against his administration’s policies for now.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the President’s passionate plea to Nigerians, especially the youths after a meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister said having listened to all their concerns, President Tinubu has assured that measures are already ongoing to address the existing and emerging challenges.
He said; “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 said he listens to them and 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.
“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 government’s response to all their pleas, he has listened to them.”
Noting that a lot is happening already in the polity, the Information Minister said; “Only today, the NASS has expeditiously passed the bill on National minimum wage. You can see how the President is working. The bill was transmitted only yesterday and today it has been passed.
“A lot of other interventions that the President has put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously in the interest of Nigerians, so there is no need for strike {protest}.
“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.”
While highlighting other policies aimed at cushioning the effect of hardship Nigerians are currently facing, Idris pointed at the government approved grains and rice for state governments, which has alreaybeen delivered to them for onward distribution to Nigerians.
He further said; “Like I said that time it is just the necessary first step, government is going to continue in that direction supporting them and assuring that whatever intervention the Federal Government has put in place go to those that should benefit, it is very important that is being put out.”
