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| Postpone #EndBadGovernance Protest, Tinubu’s Reforms Are Revitalizing the Economy, Defence Minister Appeals to Nigerians |
Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, has called on the organisers of the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest to reconsider and instead engage in dialogue with the Federal Government.
He highlighted that President Tinubu's reforms are showing positive outcomes, with the nation's economy steadily recovering.
In a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations of the ministry, on Tuesday, Badaru noted that the President's reforms have begun to improve the lives of Nigerians, with economic growth in Q1 2024 being the second fastest first-quarter growth in the last six years.
“There is significant improvement in security as many roads and highways previously closed due to insecurity have been reopened. The creation of the Livestock Ministry has resolved herders and farmers clashes, allowing many farmers to return to their farms,” he said.
The minister also mentioned the introduction of the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme, which aims to increase access to higher education and reduce the financial burden on students.
Additionally, he pointed out the substantial increase in funding for infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, energy, and irrigation through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF).
Badaru praised the initiative of selling crude oil to indigenous refining companies in Naira as “another robust effort by Mr. President,” and highlighted the signing of the National Minimum Wage Act into law, aimed at enhancing the welfare of Nigerian workers as part of efforts to stabilize the economy.
While acknowledging the democratic right to protest, the minister warned against using the protest to cause unrest, emphasizing that the proposed August 1 protest is “poorly timed given the positive turnaround in the economy.”
