Abuja, Nigeria – July 30, 2024 – The Federal Government has announced that the nationwide hunger protests scheduled for August 1 to 10, 2024, are no longer necessary. This statement was made during a press briefing following the Federal Executive Council meeting on July 29 by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Idris assured the public that the government is actively addressing the concerns raised by the protest organizers, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve food availability. “The government is already addressing many of the concerns raised by those organizing the protest. Efforts are underway to ensure food availability,” Idris said.
One key measure mentioned is the distribution of rice at a reduced cost of N40,000 per bag, a significant step aimed at alleviating food scarcity. “Rice has been distributed to various centers nationwide and is being sold for N40,000. This is just an initial measure, with more actions to follow,” Idris added.
Additionally, the government has made significant investments in the agricultural sector, with the expectation that food prices will decrease over time. President Bola Tinubu is confident that these actions will address the concerns of the youth, including those related to education and transportation. Idris emphasized that the student loan program will ensure access to education for all young people, and the implementation of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative is expected to resolve transportation issues.
In related news, a trader in Kano, Bashir Yunusa, was reportedly detained by security agents for promoting the upcoming protests. Yunusa, who works at Kantin Kwari Market, was arrested after sharing a Facebook post featuring a T-shirt with the slogan “End Bad Governance in Nigeria 2024—Arewa Mufarka” (North Arise).
The Federal Government’s recent actions and assurances aim to mitigate the hardships faced by Nigerians and demonstrate a commitment to addressing public grievances.
