Nigerian Minister Urges End to Nationwide Protest Against Hunger and Poverty
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Lizzy Okoji, on Saturday in Abuja, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, has appealed to Nigerians to suspend the nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria against hunger and poverty. The protest, which began on August 1 and is expected to end by August 10, was organized in response to the challenges faced in the country.
Minister Audu urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue in addressing their concerns regarding the difficulties faced in the country. He also urged them to trust President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is working assiduously to address the challenges in the country.
According to Minister Audu, the policies and strategic plans of the current administration are aimed at driving Nigeria to economic prosperity, improved welfare, quality education, and strengthened health systems. He added that other policies focus on improved social amenities, food security, and infrastructural development, among others.
Minister Audu assured Nigerians that their desire for good governance will be achieved before the end of the current administration’s first tenure. He highlighted several measures taken by the administration to address the challenges, including the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for workers, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to reduce the cost of transportation, and the disbursement of N50,000 uplift grants to over 100,000 families per state for three months.
The minister also mentioned that 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and 250,000 metric tonnes of maize are being imported to be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country. In strengthening the health sector, the president has directed the redesign of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to facilitate access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
In the steel sector, the ongoing reforms to revive steel plants will create over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, while attracting Foreign Direct Investments to grow and diversify the economy.
Minister Audu appealed to Nigerians to end the protest, citing its hijack by miscreants who are already causing mayhem and a breakdown of law and order across the country. He commended the people of Kogi for not participating in the protest, instead resorting to dialogue and collaborative efforts with the All Progressive Congress-led government of the state.
The statement was issued by NAN.
