Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has reassured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to alleviating the country’s economic difficulties. Despite planned nationwide protests, Olawande expressed confidence in Tinubu’s commitment to tackling the challenges head-on.
During a press conference held by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja, Olawande acknowledged the significant hardships Nigerians are facing. However, he highlighted several government initiatives aimed at providing relief and promoting economic stability. Among these achievements are a 130% increase in the minimum wage and a reduction in the minimum wage review period from five years to three, which has been approved by the National Assembly.
Olawande urged citizens to remain realistic and seize the opportunities offered by the government. He cautioned against the misuse of social media to incite instability and appealed for collective efforts to address the nation’s challenges.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He has taken decisions, I can tell you, the love you can have for yourself is not because you are PDP, you are APC, you are PDMP, you are whatever. We need to stop that love and love this country first,” said Olawande.
He further emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation: “We know you have the can-do spirit. We are begging and pleading with you to work with us. And we are saying there are a lot of things to enjoy in this government. The president has opened up every sector, and we are listening to your concerns.”
Olawande also addressed the issue of unemployment, acknowledging it as a significant problem but urging citizens to be realistic about job prospects: “Everybody cannot be a civil servant. We are appealing to everybody that we are sure this country is in safe hands.”
Mr. Bala Ahmed, the Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, also spoke at the event. Represented by Zack Oji, Ahmed recognized the challenges but stressed the need for patience and unity to overcome adversity and build a better Nigeria. He outlined several key policies and executive orders from the Tinubu administration, such as the approval of 10 billion naira for CNG buses, a N35 billion student loan, and the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on food commodities.
“From the perspective of Renewed Hope Ambassadors and other stakeholders, this planned protest from unknown people poses significant risks across Nigeria. We urge citizens to consider these consequences and seek more constructive avenues for change,” he stated.
In addition, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors launched “The Jagaban Will Fix It Nigeria Project,” an initiative focused on addressing concerns through town hall meetings and capacity-building programs for young people and informal sectors in rural areas.
