No need for planned protests, FG insists

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government has announced that the nationwide hunger protests planned for August 1 to 10, 2024, are no longer necessary.

This statement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a briefing with State House correspondents following the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Idris emphasized that the government is actively addressing the concerns raised by Nigerians and is working to ensure food availability across the country.

He highlighted efforts to distribute rice to various centers nationwide, selling it at N40,000 per bag as an initial step towards stabilizing food prices.

“Many of the issues that those planning the protest are putting forward are being addressed. The government is making efforts to make sure that food is made available,” Idris stated. “Rice has been taken to various centers across the country, and it is being sold for N40,000. This is just the beginning and a necessary first step. Other efforts are underway.”

The minister further highlighted other significant interventions by the current administration in key sectors, particularly agriculture, aimed at reducing food prices in the long term. He also mentioned the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to alleviate transportation issues.

He assured that President Tinubu is committed to addressing the concerns of the youth, mentioning initiatives like the student loan program to ensure educational access.

“The student loan is making sure that no youth who wants to go to school will be left out. By the time the CNG initiative takes full course, the transportation issues will be resolved,” Idris added.