President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja for the United Kingdom today to begin his annual leave, which will last for two weeks. According to an official statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, this vacation will also serve as a “working retreat.”
Onanuga explained that President Tinubu will use the time to reflect on the economic reforms implemented by his administration. These reforms have been a central focus of his government since taking office, as the nation grapples with economic challenges like inflation, rising living costs, and unemployment. He also noted that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria once his two-week leave is over.
While the President’s trip is being described as a working vacation, it has drawn reactions from various quarters. One of the most vocal critics is the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which expressed displeasure with the government’s handling of youth-related issues. Specifically, the group criticized the recently announced National Youth Conference, a 30-day event that was outlined during Tinubu’s Independence Day speech.
HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused the administration of using the conference to distract the nation’s youth from the more pressing problems they face. The group argued that the government should prioritize addressing issues such as high unemployment, economic stagnation, and poor infrastructure, which directly impact the well-being of Nigerian youth.
In their statement, HURIWA referred to the conference as a wasteful exercise, stating, “This so-called National Youth Conference is nothing more than a cash-guzzling charade, destined to achieve little to no meaningful outcomes.
“Rather than organizing another talk shop, the government should focus on addressing the urgent challenges that directly impact the lives of Nigerian youths, such as poor infrastructure, economic stagnation, and high unemployment,” HURIWA said.
