The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has given President Bola Tinubu an eight item demand to ameliorate the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, ahead of the August 1 planned protest.
The eight items, according to the youth council are:
Transparency and accountability; healthcare access;
education and skill development;
Agricultural support; youth intervention program; economic relief measures
National youth conference and meeting with National Security Adviser (NSA).
At a press conference held on Monday in Abuja, Vice President (North East) of the NYCN, Bishop Douglas Kanatapwa, who spoke on behalf of the organization’s leadership, said President Tinubu’s initiatives to enhance the national economy and update obsolete systems have substantially raised the cost of living, creating hardships for many, particularly the youth.
However, these changes have significantly increased the cost of living, making life difficult for many, especially the youth.
Many young people are struggling with unemployment and underemployment.
These tough conditions have led many youths to support the planned hunger protests.
A joint National Committee comprising youth representatives, Govt Reps, civil society organizations, labour reps, student rep, women reps, disabled people, farmers association, Manufacturers association and religious leaders etc should be formed and Inaugurated immediately to formulate realistic and conscious measures to cushion the effects of hunger in the land.
He added: “We request the National Security Adviser (NSA) to meet with a delegation from NYCN to discuss government plans to reduce the high cost of living.
Following this, we ask for a meeting with President Tinubu to discuss other important national issues that will help maintain peace and order in Nigeria.
These meetings will reinforce NYCN’s role as a bridge between the government and the youth.
We urgently need a National Youth Conference where government officials and youth leaders from across the country can identify problems and propose both long and short-term solutions.
We suggest the government start a national youth peer-to-peer program to help reduce support for the planned hunger protest.
On his part, the President of NYCN, Amb.
Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, said President Tinubu has proven to have listening ears and hoped he would swing into action and address some of the identified issues within 72 hours.
We still have 72 hours to the proposed protest.
