The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, stated Friday that now is the time to tackle problems rather than protest, as the Federal Government announced its involvement in the Grand Challenges Nigeria project, a global health initiative focused at combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.
He made the statement during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Shettima highlighted the importance of productive action over protest, albeit acknowledging the hardships that Nigerians are facing as a result of recent economic reforms, particularly the loss of gasoline subsidies.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Media, confirmed this in a statement.
“Now is the moment for us to fix our problems, not protest. The right to protest is protected in most democracies across the world, but when you can start an agitation and don’t know where it will lead, it is a road to anarchy,” he remarked.
“We understand what Nigerians are going through, and our hearts go out to them.” For the past 50 years, oil subsidies have been an albatross around our neck. We feel that once the harvests begin, they will benefit the average person.
“I want to urge you to push for diplomacy, engagement, and patience. The president is deeply devoted to the Nigerian mission, but it is a slow-moving process.”