Undoubtedly, the removal of fuel subsidy has led to a significant increase in the prices of goods and services. To address the concerns, the federal government has engaged in discussions with organized Labour to provide palliatives and raise the minimum wage.
Despite this, organized Labour announced a protest on August 2nd to express their grievances.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu, in an effort to ease the burden of fuel subsidy removal on students of higher institutions, approved the provision of buses to student bodies in universities, polytechnics, and colleges across the country.
His goal is to enable students to access campuses more easily despite higher transportation costs, thereby relieving parents and guardians of additional commuting expenses.
Additionally, the President removed all restrictions on students’ loans to ensure that any student or household in need can access financial support for their education.
In a nationwide broadcast that same Monday, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to be patient with the economic challenges the country is facing.
He highlighted the need to eliminate fuel subsidies, redirecting the funds saved to essential sectors like public transportation, healthcare, education, housing, and national security.
The President expressed concern about the concentration of wealth and power, advocating for greater sovereignty of the people over the influence of money to strengthen democratic governance and economic fairness.
Moreover, President Tinubu emphasized his commitment to long-term economic reforms, including ending the multiple exchange rate system that enabled currency speculation and addressing major economic imbalances to secure Nigeria’s future.
During the week, the President met with leaders of organized labour to discuss suspending protests.
He gave his commitment to the leaders of Organised Labour that the Port Harcourt Refinery will start production by December 2023 after the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract on the facility between the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.
He also announced the appointment of a new Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, to enhance communication with Nigerians and the world.
He took over the position of the presidential spokesman on Monday from Dele Alake who is nominated for ministerial position,
As it is with the tradition, he met with the State House Press Corps on Tuesday.
He humbly accepted the appointment to serve as his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and as the official spokesperson of the President and will work round the clock to ensure effective communication with Nigerians and the world at large.
The new Special Adviser worked with former President Muhammadu Buhari as Senior Speciall Assistant on Media and Publivity.
According to him, it is in the interest of all public office holders to know that they are being watched so that they can be held accountable to deliver on the promises of the President in terms of the execution of government policies and we are going to, in a very shortly order, announced a series of very tangible measures that have to do with the opening up of this institution on a daily basis in a deeper and more comprehensive way than has ever been seen before.
“I believe the first and most important point I would want to make is that this institution belongs to Nigerians. It does not belong to any political parties, it does not belong to any public officials.
“It belongs to over 200 million citizens of this country both at home and abroad. And it is with that understanding that we will be engaging the world.
“We believe it is the right, not a proboledge but the right of every Nigerian to have full access into the affairs of the Presidential villa, into the affairs of the office of the President and the office of the Vice president.”
President Tinubu attended the national Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress and the National Executive Council meeting of the party. At the NEC meeting, he pledged to ensure that all government programs benefit and uplift the masses, focusing on development and prosperity for the country through international trade partnerships.
The President defended the legitimacy of the election, stating that those who do not accept the outcome of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.
