With the August 1 date for the commencement of the ten days nationwide protest getting nearer, the Nigerian Government has entered into an emergency meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting to is on how to forestall the protest by Nigerian youths. The protest which is allegedly been planned by yet to be identified groups, is against the economic hardship.
The call for the emergency meeting was contained in a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah. The letter which is dated July 23, 2024, was titled, ‘Planned Nationwide Protest.’
It read, “I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.”
The meeting comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris pleaded with Nigerians to halt the planned protest.
Recall that in an interview with State House Correspondents on Tuesday, Idris had stated that Tinubu’s administration needed more time to execute people-oriented programs.
He said, “On 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 of their pleas.”
Recall that Nigerian economy took a twist with the announcement by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, the removal of fuel subsidy. Also, weeks after, the President announced the floating of the Naira and ever since, the nation’s currency has been on free fall against foreign currencies.
The twin economic policies of the Tinubu’s administration have spiraled core inflation and food inflation to 34.19 percent and 40.87 respectively.
The inflationary trends have impacted on prices of commodities as the purchasing power of Nigerians shrinks on daily basis.
As a way to getting the Government to solving the food inflation crisis, Nigerians had insisted on the protest. This is in spite of the recent approval by the Federal Government of the N70,000 minimum wage.
Recall that the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, July 23, passage the Bill and it would be assented to by President Tinubu.
source: Daily Post
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