There’s no need for protest, Tinubu pleads with youths

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to youths in the country to shelve the planned nationwide protest.

The president said he listens to youths and is committed to making the country good for them.

There have been reports that some youths are planning a nationwide protest in August against the rising cost of living.

Speaking with State House correspondents on Tuesday after a meeting with the president, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said Tinubu is working hard to address the grievances of the young people.

“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,” the minister said.

“Mr. President listens to them; he 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 the government’s response to all their pleas; he has listened to them like I said.”

The minister said the federal government has executed some initiatives, including the N70,000 new minimum wage approval, the distribution of grains to the state government, and the student loan scheme.

The minister said the initiatives were designed to “ensure that no one is left behind in this attempt to march Nigeria towards progress”.

In a statement on Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) asked Tinubu to invite the leaders of the protest for a dialogue.