Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to reconsider the proposed protest, cautioning that it could lead to anarchy. Speaking on Friday, Shettima highlighted the importance of constructive action during the announcement of his participation in the Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg) Project, a global health initiative aimed at combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.
During a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima unveiled the partnership with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), targeting the country’s pressing nutritional challenges. He stressed the need for Nigerians to prioritize constructive solutions over protests to address the nation’s current hardships.
“This is the time for us to solve our problems, not to protest,” Shettima stated. “The right to protest is guaranteed in most democracies around the world, but when you start the agitation and don’t know where it will end, it is a road to anarchy.”
Acknowledging the difficult times the country is facing, Shettima expressed empathy for the struggles of Nigerians, particularly in light of the ongoing issues surrounding the oil subsidy. “We appreciate what Nigerians are going through, and our heart goes out to them. The oil subsidy has been an albatross on our neck for 50 years. Once the harvests start coming, we believe it will have a positive effect on the common man,” he said.
Shettima called for diplomacy, engagement, and patience, assuring Nigerians of the government’s commitment to improving the country’s situation. “The President is very much committed to the Nigerian project, but it’s like a percolation project. When a woman is giving birth, it’s a very painful process, but once the child is delivered, it is a cause for celebration.”
He urged Nigerians to focus on solutions and work together to overcome the current challenges, promoting unity and constructive action as the way forward.
