… Keeps Silent on Lekki Toll Gate Shootings, Announces Police, Teachers’ Salary Reviews
President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that his administration has created plans to “lift 100 million Nigerians” out of poverty, by 2030.
He made this known during a national broadcast, Thursday evening, after clamour by Nigerians on his address of the country following Tuesday night’s Lekki Toll Gate shooting.
Keeping silent on the shootings, he explained that the Federal Government had created a N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths, and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund.
From this fund, he affirms that the FG would pay salaries of 100,000 SME staff.
He also said that the FG would freely register 250,000 businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
In addition, grants ranging between N30,000 and 100,000 Naira would be issued to artisans.
He also listed various initiatives including Farmermoni, Tradermoni, Marketmoni, N-Power, N-Tech and N-Agro, for youth empowerment.
‘Buhari to #EndSARS Protesters: We Have Heard You Loud and Clear, Discontinue Protests’
While urging Nigerians, as well as the members of the International community to “seek all the facts available before making hasty pronouncements”, he counselled the #EndSARS protesters to discontinue protests and “seek constructive ways to engage government.”
“I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.
“For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.
I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions.
“Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.”
‘Police Officers, Teachers to Get Upward Salary Reviews’
President Buhari also announced that a new salary structure for the members of the Nigeria Police Force is currently in the works.
He also said that teachers would receive a similar salary modification.
He said, “With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards. In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.”
