We Are Not In Support Of Planned Nationwide Protest – Lagos Students

Students enrolled in tertiary institutions within Lagos State have articulated their positions regarding the planned nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1.

Naija News reports that Nigerians, particularly the youths, have pledged to organize mass protests spanning the nation from August 1 to August 10, aiming to highlight the hardship currently being faced by the populace to the government.

The organizers expected all participants to assemble at the state government residences throughout the nation and the National Assembly complex in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to voice their grievances over the prevailing difficulties in Nigeria.

However, the President of the National Association of Lagos State Students (NULASS), Alimi Lekan-Idris, has indicated that the students will not be participating in the protest.

Addressing journalists during a press conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital College of Medicine, Ikeja, Alimi called on Nigerian youths to adopt a path of dialogue.

“It is crucial that we remember the importance of peace and stability and use dialogue to achieve our collective goals.

”Given these significant contributions and progress we have witnessed, we wish to state that we are not in support of any protest against the government of Lagos State,” Alimi stated.

Nationwide Protest: Federal Government Schedules Emergency Meeting

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has scheduled an emergency meeting on Wednesday (today) morning to address the planned nationwide protest slated for August 1.

This comes after President Bola Tinubu pleaded with the organisers to shelve the protests and give his administration more time to execute people-oriented programmes.

A circular was shared with Punch on Tuesday by sources with knowledge of the meeting.

The circular indicated that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and the Special Advisers to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman; Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, were among those invited for the meeting.

The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah, dated July 23, 2024, was titled, ‘Planned Nationwide Protest.’

It read, “I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.

“Attendance is mandatory. Please, accept the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

The planned session is coming amid the clamour for nationwide protests from August 1 over the rising cost of living and the economic hardship in the country, which was blamed on the removal of fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira and other economic reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration.