Abbas appeals to the organizers: Stop your action in the interest of Nigeria

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas has urged those planning the nationwide protests, especially Nigerian youth, to put their action on hold in the interest of the country and its citizens.

Abbas, who noted the frustration and reservations of Nigerian youth, said the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not relenting in its efforts to bring relief to Nigerians.

He also said the House of Representatives has taken measures to continuously engage the youth, learn about their incomes and aspirations and respond to them.

“I address you today with a heart full of compassion and a deep sense of duty. We live in difficult times and I want to acknowledge the difficulties faced by many of you, especially our youth. Economic pressures, social insecurities and other related concerns are weighing heavily on our country.

“Your frustrations and reservations are not lost on us. We hear your call for change, for a better and fairer Nigeria. I want to assure you that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, takes these concerns with the utmost seriousness.

“We want to listen to you, engage with you and work with you to find sustainable solutions to the problems we face.

“The government has introduced several policies and programmes aimed at addressing the needs and aspirations of our youth. One of these initiatives is the introduction of student loans to ease the burden of education costs and ensure that no Nigerian youth is denied the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams due to financial constraints.”

Abbas added: “The Tinubu-led government has also made significant progress in providing access to finance to young entrepreneurs through various programmes such as the Consumer Credit Programme, which aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

“In addition, we focus on job creation and skills development. Programmes aimed at improving employability and creating sustainable livelihoods are a priority. We are committed to ensuring that Nigerian youth are not just job seekers but also job creators.

“I would also like to highlight the efforts of the House of Representatives in this regard. We are in the process of developing formal legislative mechanisms to ensure ongoing engagement and dialogue with our youth. We believe your voices must be heard and we are creating platforms for regular exchanges to build consensus on the way forward.

“I therefore urge you to remember that nation-building is a collective task. We must reject violence and seek dialogue. Your right to protest is recognised and respected. Let us use legitimate avenues to voice our grievances and work together towards constructive solutions.

“At this point, I appeal to the planners of these nationwide protests to put their actions on hold in the interest of our country. Let us give the government more time. Let us open doors for a purposeful dialogue with the government. As I mentioned above, the government has taken measures to nip our challenges in the bud.”

Related