President Bola Tinubu, in response to the nationwide protests that erupted on August 1, calling for an end to bad governance, addressed Nigerians on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
The protests, which have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of properties, prompted the President to urge citizens to suspend further protests and engage in dialogue.
In his national broadcast, President Tinubu commiserated with the families of those who have died in the protests and expressed concern over the destruction of public facilities and looting of shops.
” I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country. The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them.
I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction,” he said.
He stressed the need for public order and assured citizens that the government will not stand idly by and allow a few individuals with a clear political agenda to tear the nation apart.
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“I therefore took the painful yet necessary decision to remove fuel subsidies and abolish multiple foreign exchange systems which had constituted a noose around the economic jugular of our Nation and impeded our economic development and progress,” President Tinubu said, highlighting the economic reforms his administration has implemented to address the country’s economic challenges.
He noted that these reforms have blocked the greed and profits of smugglers and rent-seekers, and undue subsidies extended to neighboring countries.
The President also outlined various initiatives his administration has taken to address youth unemployment, improve infrastructure, and boost food production, among others.
He mentioned the student loan scheme, which has processed N45.6 billion for payment to students and their institutions, and the Consumer Credit Corporation, which aims to help Nigerians acquire essential products without immediate cash payments.
Additionally, President Tinubu highlighted his administration’s efforts to empower young people through the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE) program, which has secured $620 million to create millions of IT and technical jobs.
He also mentioned the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
The President announced that his administration has released N570 billion to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, and 600,000 nano-businesses have benefited from nano-grants.
He also mentioned the National Minimum Wage, which has been signed into law, and the ambitious housing initiative, Renewed Hope City and Estate, which aims to provide 100,000 housing units over the next three years.
President Tinubu urged Nigerians to work together to build a brighter future, where every citizen can live with dignity and prosperity. He emphasized that the task before the nation is a collective one and called on citizens to choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation.
President Tinubu however called on security operatives to maintain peace, law, and order in the country while respecting human rights conventions.
