We need dialogue, not protests – FG

The Federal Government says Nigerian youths should embrace dialogue rather than embark on protests, which could have undesirable outcomes.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this while addressing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.

He said that was the position of the FEC, which insisted that most of the demands of the protesters were actually being addressed by the federal government.

To those planning to embark on protest, the minister said that even though it was the democratic right of every Nigerian to engage in peaceful protest, they should know that the government was not opposed to that.

“But what the government is doing is ensuring that while there is this right for you to protest, your right will also end where someone else‘s own begins.

“Therefore, while you are thinking of protesting, the government is appealing to you to first shelve it because there is a likelihood that this protest may be hijacked by unscrupulous elements and may turn violent.

“Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention for violence in this, but our history has shown that there’s the possibility that this protest can be hijacked and could turn violent,” said Idris.

He said the President had listened to the voices of all those who were planning to protest, and the message was that there was no need for protest.

“Indeed, the President is already doing those things that they want the government to do. For example, the government is making efforts to ensure that food is made available.

“At the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 trucks had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who are actually in need of them, to the poorest of the poor in society.

“The rice distributed is being sold at about 50 percent of its cost. This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000,” he said.

According to the minister, about 10 trucks have been made available to each state.

“And, indeed, this is just the beginning; I know that some of the comments you hear are that it is never enough.

“The government has not pretended that these supplies are enough. But these are the necessary first steps that are being taken.

“Of course, this is an interim measure because there is so much investment going into the agricultural sector.

“And the rainy season is here. We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made,” he said.

According to the minister, irrigation activities are being increased in many states; hence, it was expected that the prices of food items would come down with time.

“The Federal Executive Council believes that some of the answers that some of the youth that want to protest are looking for are already being provided.

“For example, only recently did the Federal Government begin the disbursement of the students loans. There’s already provision for over 2 million students.

“Only about 110,000 applications have thus far been received as of last week; of course, more are going to come.

“So, there’s adequate provision for all those who are qualified, who can access these loans, and who have fulfilled the conditions,” he said.

According to him, the desire of President Tinubu is that no student or young person who has gained admission into any tertiary institution will be left out because his or her parents or guardian are unable to pay his or her fees.

“But beyond that, there is also provision for young, unemployed people. We are aware of the effort that is being made to ensure that about three million of them are catered for.

“Thereis also, for the general public, the reduction envisaged in transport costs by the time the CNG initiative of the Federal Government takes full course.

“Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of theconversion kits are already available. The conversion centres are already beginning to get active,” he said.

He said the delay with the implementation of the programme was because some of the items needed were not such that they could be gotten off the shelf.

"First, the procurement processes have to be followed.

“And then, of course, you have to place an order for them, and it is envisaged that as we make the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, there is going to be a reduction of over 60 percent in the cost of transportation.

“If you have your car, it is envisaged that you’re going to spend about 60 percent less, and that money comes back to your pocket.

“But the emphasis at the beginning is going to be on commercial buses for mass transit so that workers will have a reduction in fares,” he said.

Also, Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said the Council approved three memos on fighting crime and corruption in the country.

“Three memos were approved in quick succession, one dealing with the exchange of information, including an investigation. We have an agreement that was signed way back in June 2022.

“After the agreement, what the law requires is that you should come back and have it ratified. And it was presented to Council today; of course, it was passed.

“The second one had to do with the exchange of assistance to bring back fugitives, people trying to escape from justice. Either you bring them to justice or you take justice to them. This second aspect, which is mutual assistance, has been ratified.

“The third in the series has to do with, after conviction, what do we do? Some will say, Okay, if you have these convictions, can you bring the person back home to serve his sentence here?

“The same thing goes for any convict from the country we have an agreement with, in this case Spain. So, we have an agreement that either way, we can exchange persons sentenced to serve their sentence here or there.

He said there was no longer a hiding place for criminals.

“If they go outside the shores of the country, they can rest assured that the arms of the law are long enough to reach them,” said Fagbemi.