Tinubu, while speaking with a delegation led by Islamic scholar, Sheikh Bala Lau, also urged protest organizers not to turn Nigeria into Sudan
By Kehinde Okeowo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has identified three reasons why Nigerians should not hit the streets in August.
According to him, the commencement of the student loan scheme, the N70,000 new minimum wage and the establishment of the consumer credit initiative are some of the reasons those planning to embark on proposed August “hardship” protest should have a rethink.
He made this known at the State House in Abuja on Thursday when he received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau.
Tinubu while addressing the delegation, urged the protest planners not to turn Nigeria into Sudan.
He also promised that his government was reworking its social welfare scheme to reach every vulnerable Nigerian at the grassroots level.
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Speaking during the visit, Tinubu said, “We are reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level, which is the closest to our people. We are going to ensure that we re-establish connection with the wards, again, so that we can give allowances to the poor and the vulnerable.
“The student loans will pay for school fees. There will be monetary support for the education of our children. The consumer credit will support citizens to buy cars and houses, and they can repay gradually.
“We have increased the minimum wage by more than 100 percent.”
TheNiche had earlier reported that Nigerians under various bodies are planning a nationwide demonstration from August 1 to 10, 2024, to protest the prevailing economic hardship in the country.