News

Tinubu urges youth to shelve planned protest, await his response

Published

2 years ago

July 23, 2024

Tinubu urges youth to shelve planned protest, await his response

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to organizers of a nationwide protest to shelve their plans, assuring them that he is listening to their concerns and working diligently to address them.

The protest, being scheduled to hold across the country between August 1 to 10, is said to be a way of registering the impact of food scarcity and the inability to afford common needs.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the president’s message while speaking to journalists at the State House on Tuesday, July 23, after a routine briefing of the President on developments around his ministry.

Idris said President Tinubu takes the protesters’ grievances seriously and is committed to ensuring a better future for Nigeria.

The minister highlighted the swift passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill by the National Assembly as evidence of the President’s commitment to swift action.

He urged young people to give the President more time to implement his plans, emphasizing that a protest is unnecessary as the government is already responding to their pleas.

“We also discussed the issue of the country generally and Mr. President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people who are trying to protest, Mr. President is listening to them, he takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good, not just for today, but also for the future.

READ ALSO:

“The issue of the planned protest, Mr. President does not see any need for that, he’s asked them to shelve that plan and he’s asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas. He has listened to them, like I said, and a lot is happening.

“Only today, the National Assembly has expeditiously passed the Bill on National Minimum Wage, you can see how the President is working. It was transmitted only yesterday, today it has been passed.

“A lot of other interventions that the President has put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously, in the interest of Nigerians. So there’s no need for a strike, the young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realization of all the goodies he has for them.

Idris also reeled out more of the interventions being pushed to the public, aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians, students, and young graduates.

According to Idris, the government is committed to ensuring that its interventions reach the intended beneficiaries directly, without intermediaries.

He highlighted the recent approval and delivery of grains and rice to state governments as a first step in this direction.

“For example, you saw that the federal government approved grains and rice for state governments, it was delivered to them expeditiously also.

“Like I said the other time, it is just the necessary first step, the government is going to continue in that direction, supporting them and ensuring that whatever interventions the federal government has put in place go to those that should benefit. It is very important that is being put out.

“The federal government is looking at strategies that every intervention would go directly to those who benefit from those interventions, not middlemen intervening along the way”, he said.

READ ALSO:

The Minister also emphasized President Tinubu’s passion for the newly launched Student Loan Board, which aims to ensure that every eligible student can access tertiary education regardless of financial constraints.

“Number two, you heard about the student loan board that was launched by the President, Mr. President is very passionate about deepening that. Everyone that should go to school will have the opportunity to go to school.

“It is no longer a time for all of us to stay back and see our young able-bodied men and women that have passed the examinations to go to tertiary institutions that have not been able to do that because their parents are not able to pay for their fees.

“This is a thing of the past, the government is very desirous of ensuring that happens. You know the provision that was made to the NELFUND, already we have in excess of what is required today, and the more the people are requiring that the more the President will also give”, the Minister said.

Furthermore, the government is perfecting a scheme to support young graduates who are yet to secure employment after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.

This initiative is part of the administration’s commitment to leaving no one behind in its quest for progress, according to the Minister.

“There is also the intervention the President is working out for those young men and women who have finished school, but who are yet to get employed, post-NYSC for example, there is a scheme the government is perfecting now and that is also going to be pushed fast so that all those young men and women who have finished school, graduates of universities and polytechnics that are unable to get jobs, they will continue to be supported by the government until such a time that those jobs are offered to them.

“The whole idea is that no one is left behind, it’s an all-inclusive government and the President is determined to ensure that no one is left behind in this his attempt to march Nigeria towards progress”, Idris said.

Speaking on his reason for visiting, Idris said: “It’s a regular meeting that all ministers hold with the President, I met with him and discussed with him, especially in areas under my supervision; the issue of NTA, for example, FRCN, NAN and VON. We have discussed all that and we have also arrived at situations that will help their position as public information platforms of the country.

“They should be in the forefront and they are, we are doing everything possible to make sure that they are being repositioned so that they can serve Nigeria very well”, he said.

Tinubu urges youth to shelve planned protest, await his response

Related Topics:Featured protest Tinubu youth

Up Next

FG should back Dangote Refinery as other nations support their own industrialists – Femi Otedola

Don't Miss

JUST IN: Reps call for suspension of NMDPRA CEO pending investigation

News

UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

Published

8 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has confirmed that 100-level student Sadiya Usman has been found safe after being reported missing earlier this week. The university expressed relief and gratitude to the public and security agencies for their assistance in locating the student.

Sadiya Usman, who is enrolled in the Department of Accounting, was last seen leaving her residence at Kontagora Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Tuesday, 18 February 2026, at around 8:00 a.m. She was on her way to the university’s Main Campus to sit for her Computer-Based Test (GST 111) but did not arrive for the exam.

READ ALSO:

After her disappearance, her guardian reported her missing when all attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful. The university promptly activated internal safety protocols and collaborated with security agencies, campus authorities, and the public to ensure her safe recovery.

The student was eventually located late on Thursday, 20 February 2026, around 11:49 p.m., and is reported to be safe, unhurt, and in stable condition. Authorities confirmed that coordinated efforts between the university, law enforcement, and concerned members of the public were instrumental in her recovery.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to student safety and welfare, promising continuous updates as necessary. It also thanked those who responded to the public appeal for information and urged students and parents to remain vigilant about safety.

This incident highlights the importance of campus security measures, timely reporting of missing persons, and the role of community involvement in safeguarding students.

UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

News

Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

Published

16 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed plans to arrest and prosecute TikTok user Mirabel after she admitted that her viral rape allegation was false, authorities and investigative reports indicate.

Mirabel, a social media influencer, first sparked national attention after posting videos alleging she had been sexually assaulted in her home in Ogijo, Ogun State. The posts quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage, calls for justice, and prompting the police to launch an immediate investigation.

An audio recording of a phone conversation, shared online by social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM), reportedly captures Mirabel acknowledging that parts of her story were fabricated. In the recording, she apologises and admits creating a threatening TikTok account to support her narrative, claiming she had been taking drugs at the time and “was not thinking clearly” when posting the videos.

READ ALSO:

A police source said senior officers, including the Divisional Police Officer, were at the hospital where Mirabel was receiving medical care. Once she is discharged, she will be taken into custody and formally charged under provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code relating to false reporting of sexual offenses. “The essence is to serve as a deterrent to others,” the source added.

The Ogun State Police had earlier ensured that Mirabel received medical treatment and support, following procedures to protect her health while the investigation continued. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) confirmed that the incident fell outside its jurisdiction and forwarded all relevant information to the Ogun authorities.

This development has sparked public debate about the responsible use of social media, the impact of false allegations, and the importance of evidence-based reporting. Legal experts warn that fabricating sexual assault claims can carry serious criminal penalties and may undermine the credibility of genuine victims.

Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid spreading unverified claims and to cooperate with law enforcement in ongoing investigations. Updates on the case will be issued by the Ogun State Police Command as formal legal proceedings begin.

News

Tinubu Reduces Reliance on U.S, Strengthens Defence Partnerships With Turkey, EU

Published

16 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Tinubu Reduces Reliance on U.S, Strengthens Defence Partnerships With Turkey, EU

President Bola Tinubu has commenced a strategic expansion of Nigeria’s defence diplomacy, engaging the European Union (EU) and Turkey to strengthen the nation’s security architecture while reducing overreliance on the United States. The initiative comes as Nigeria faces multiple security threats, including Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east, farmer-herder clashes in the north-central region, separatist violence in the south-east, and escalating banditry in the north-west.

The move coincided with a visit to Brussels by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who led discussions at the first EU-Nigeria Peace, Security, and Defence Dialogue. Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration on regional stability, counter-terrorism, and violent extremism, while enhancing intelligence sharing, maritime security, and cybersecurity cooperation. An EU diplomat in Abuja emphasized that the bloc would provide non-lethal military support, while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, describing the EU as “more consistent, more reliable, and more coherent than the United States” in delivering security assistance.

READ ALSO:

During his state visit to Turkey in January 2026, President Tinubu also held defence discussions with Turkish officials. Turkish companies pledged to supply military equipment, advanced systems, and tactical hardware, while exploring joint local production arrangements with Nigeria. Türkiye is currently regarded as a global leader in armed drones, which could bolster Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations and reconnaissance capabilities.

Despite these new partnerships, Nigeria continues security cooperation with the United States, including deployments by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) to support training, intelligence sharing, and operational planning. Recent U.S. personnel arrivals in Bauchi State aim to enhance counter-terrorism capacity without taking direct combat roles, operating under Nigerian command structures.

Analysts say Nigeria’s diversified defence diplomacy seeks to reduce dependency on a single partner, while providing access to a wider range of technology transfer, training opportunities, procurement options, and operational expertise. The strategy also reflects a broader trend of African nations balancing traditional defence alliances with emerging strategic partners to better address evolving security threats.

With regional instability and domestic insurgency on the rise, Nigeria’s engagement with Turkey, the EU, and other partners is expected to strengthen the Nigerian Armed Forces, enhance counter-terrorism operations, and secure national and regional stability.