President Muhammadu Buhari has again urged the youth to end their street protests and work with the government to find solutions to issues that agitate their minds.
The President, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the maiden National Youth Day celebration – observed on November 1 and coinciding with the African Youth Day celebration – encouraged the youth to have meaningful discussions with government in order to have comprehensive reforms to police brutality.
The President, who was represented by the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello, told the gathering that his administration had carefully listened to the pleas of Nigerian youths and had begun work on their agitations.
President Buhari also announced that over 1 million applications had been received since the Youth Investment Fund portal opened on October 12, 2020.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the President added that the Federal Government “now wants to hear concrete and practical ideas” from youths while acknowledging their constitutional right to peaceful protests.
“You must realise that protests cannot last indefinitely. My government will not lift a hand to stop or suppress you.
“However, the fact of the matter is that other forces and actors will seek to take over your protests that they may redirect them in ways you did not intend and perhaps do not agree with.
