The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, has appealed to Nigerians to suspend the nationwide protest tagged #EndbadgovernaceInNigeria over economic hardship in the country.

Shuaibu made the call in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

The minister urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue in addressing all their concerns on hardship in Nigeria.

Audu also urged Nigerians to trust President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he said, has been working assiduously to address the challenges in the country.

According to the minister, the policies and strategic plans of the current administration were aimed at driving Nigeria to economic prosperity, improved welfare, quality education, and strengthened health systems.

He added that other policies were focused on improved social amenities, food security, and infrastructural development, among others.

Audu assured Nigerians that their desire for good governance would be achieved before the end of the current administration’s first tenure.

Audu stated: “Mr President has shown countless times, his concern for the plight of Nigerians, with the recent implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers.

Ex-minister joins protest as protesters urge Tinubu to address Nigerians

“Driving the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative with CNG vehicles to cushion the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, which will reduce the cost of transportation by at least 70 per cent.

“In response to the challenges of the masses in the face of the ongoing reforms, President Tinubu directed the disbursement of N50,000 uplift grants each to over 100,000 families per state for three months.

“This will impact close to 5,000,000 families nationwide. My colleague, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, with the directive of Mr President, has assured Nigerians that food prices will crash in 180 days.

“These are strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting the nation being implemented.”

The minister appealed to Nigerians to end the protest, citing its hijack by hoodlums, who he said were already causing mayhem and a breakdown of law and order in the country.

Audu commended the people of Kogi State for not participating in the protest, saying they instead resorted to dialogue and collaborative efforts with the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government in the state.

The Star