As Nigeria braces for the August 1 protest against President Bola Tinubu’s government, various scenarios are anticipated that could significantly impact daily life across the nation. The protest, driven by grievances over economic hardship and rising living costs, will likely see widespread participation. Here are five potential outcomes to prepare for:

1. Poor Banking Network
   • During previous protests, banks have shut down operations to ensure the safety of their staff and assets. On August 1, banking networks may become unreliable or inaccessible, as many financial institutions might close branches in anticipation of unrest. This could affect transactions, ATM withdrawals, and other banking services, leaving people unable to access their funds.
2. Poor Internet and Call Network
   • In times of civil unrest, telecommunication networks often experience overloads or deliberate shutdowns by authorities aiming to control the flow of information. On August 1, Nigerians might face poor internet connectivity and disruptions in call services. The government could limit social media activity to prevent the spread of protest information and coordination efforts. This will likely hinder communication, making it challenging for people to stay informed or reach out to loved ones.
3. Fuel Scarcity
   • Protests often disrupt supply chains, and the August 1 protest is expected to be no different. Fuel scarcity could become a significant issue, as roadblocks and safety concerns may hinder fuel transportation. Long queues at petrol stations might become a common sight, with motorists scrambling to secure fuel supplies. This shortage can also impact public transportation, exacerbating commuting difficulties.
4. Tight Security
   • In anticipation of the protests, the government will likely deploy a heavy security presence to maintain order. Cities could see an increase in police and military personnel on the streets, potentially leading to confrontations with protesters. Security checkpoints, roadblocks, and increased patrols might be set up, contributing to a tense atmosphere and possible clashes.
5. Gridlock
   • Numerous protesters are expected to take to the streets, so major cities, particularly in protest hotspots like Lagos and Abuja, could experience severe traffic congestion. Protesters or security forces might block roads, causing significant delays and making it difficult for people to commute. Those who need to travel on August 1 should anticipate gridlock and plan their journeys accordingly, allowing for extra time or avoiding travel.

As the situation unfolds, these potential outcomes highlight the widespread impact such a movement can have on everyday life in Nigeria.

Over 500 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called off their planned August 1 protest against the Federal Government following an appeal from Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria. These CSOs, operating under the United Coalition for Greater Nigeria, recognized the frustrations and aspirations driving the proposed protest but reconsidered its potential impact.

Dr. Charles Cosmos, speaking for the coalition, emphasized that protests often lead to more harm than good. He credited Keyamo’s intervention as pivotal, noting, “The Minister’s appeal to us was a turning point, as we have always seen him as one of our own. His outstanding performance and commitment to the nation’s progress have earned our trust.”

Keyamo’s achievements in transforming the aviation sector were particularly highlighted. He has enhanced airport infrastructure, improved air travel safety, and promoted international cooperation, which has led to increased investments and collaboration with global aviation bodies. His engagement with stakeholders and commitment to safety policies and open sky operations were noted as significant advancements.

The CSOs pledged to support the minister and the Federal Government, encouraging other groups to adopt a similar path of constructive dialogue. Dr. Cosmos concluded by urging Nigerians to engage in dialogue rather than protest, emphasizing the need to work together to build a better Nigeria.

A coalition of Northern Christian Youths has publicly expressed their disapproval of the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1 to 15, 2024. The coalition, led by Rev. Samson Job, emphasized that their decision to abstain from the protests is a gesture of appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recognition and inclusion of northern Christians in his administration.

Rev. Job highlighted key appointments made by President Tinubu, such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as significant and unprecedented gestures towards northern Christians.

The coalition praised the president’s efforts to address socioeconomic challenges and his commitment to inclusivity in governance, noting the commendable performance of his appointees. They also lauded General Musa for his dedication to national security and addressing the activities of non-state actors.

Rev. Job condemned the planned protests, labeling them as attempts by disgruntled politicians to incite unrest, and called on all patriotic Nigerians to support the government’s efforts to address the country’s challenges.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced its goal to convert one million petroleum vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by 2027. This initiative was detailed at the “Park to Park” CNG Mobilisation Programme in Abuja, where the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) Initiative signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with various conversion centres and distributed free CNG conversion kits.

Michael Oluwagbemi, the Programme Manager of Pi-CNG, stated that the initiative has the mandate from President Bola Tinubu to convert one million commercial vehicles within the next two years. The programme initially had seven conversion centres but has now expanded to over 120 across the country. Stakeholders, such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), will participate by nominating vehicles for conversion.

Oluwagbemi highlighted the benefits of CNG, noting that it is cheaper and more reliable than petrol, leading to savings of 40-70% for road transport operators. This initiative is expected to reduce transportation costs for goods, people, and services, primarily focusing on mass transit.

Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, the Global Vice-President of the International Transport Federation, and Alhaji Yusuf Lawal, the National President of NARTO, both encouraged transport union members to support and comply with the CNG conversion efforts. They emphasized that this transition would ultimately lower transportation and food prices.

President Tinubu has directed all government ministries, departments, and agencies to procure CNG-powered vehicles as part of Nigeria’s move towards cleaner energy. He underscored the importance of energy reforms and the necessity for public officials to lead by example in adopting CNG vehicles to achieve a prosperous future for the nation.

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has queried the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) regarding its unauthorized spending on operations without budgetary approval. The committee, chaired by Rep. Ademorin Kuye (APC-Lagos state), expressed disappointment with MOFI for not fulfilling its mandate to enhance government revenue.

During a public hearing in Abuja, Kuye criticized the agency for its alleged reckless expenditure and failure to improve government revenue. He demanded that MOFI provide detailed documentation on its revenue and expenditure, setting a seven-day deadline for submission.

Kuye outlined specific requests for MOFI, including:

• Classes of Assets: A list of various assets, including shares of publicly traded entities, limited liability entities, foreign-based businesses, and improvements made to them, along with their contributions to GDP.
• Financial Assets: Details on public and private equities investments, fixed income, hedge funds, and real estate, including their values and revenue generated over the past ten years.
• Cash Flow Transactions: Information on concession agreements and public-private partnerships, including a list of concessions, revenue generated, and evidence of such revenue.
• Mineral and Intangible Assets: Extent of investments in minerals and hydrocarbons, and their benefits to Nigeria.

Additionally, Kuye requested a list of the 52 companies in MOFI’s portfolio, which are valued at an estimated 18 trillion naira and employ over 15,000 individuals.

In his ruling, Kuye accused MOFI of wasting legislative time and instructed the Managing Director, Dr. Armstrong Takang, to submit all relevant documents. The hearing was adjourned to a later date.

The Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has issued a warning to the public, particularly metal scavengers, against collecting and transporting scraps and abandoned metal objects from various locations into the state. This caution follows an incident in the Goniri area, where five metal scavengers were injured by an explosion of abandoned ordnance.

Retired Brigadier-General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Special Adviser to Governor Buni on Security Matters, emphasized the importance of this warning in a statement from Damaturu. He explained that the explosion was caused by unexploded ordnance picked up by unsuspecting scavengers who had crossed over from the deserted parts of the Sambisa Forest to the Goniri area.

“The military Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit is working round the clock to detonate any devices that may have been abandoned in the past years,” Abdulsalam said.

He further advised the general public to report any suspicious objects or persons to security agents for prompt action, highlighting the critical need for vigilance to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Take It Back Movement in Lagos has expressed concerns over a recent court order that restricts protesters to two designated locations in the Lagos metropolis. The movement views this order as an abuse of judicial privilege aimed at stifling freedom of association.

The Lagos High Court granted an ex parte application filed by the State’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, which seeks to restrict the proposed August 1 nationwide protest to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu. This application was granted by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare on July 30, 2024.

In response, the movement held an emergency meeting and addressed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, asserting that the administration must ensure the safe transportation of protesters to and from the designated parks. Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, the Take It Back Movement Coordinator, stated, “The buses to be provided must be clean, safe, and air-conditioned.”

He emphasized that these buses should arrive at the designated convergence points by 6 a.m. and return protesters by 6 p.m. from August 1 to 10, 2024. The convergence points listed by the movement include Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Toll Gates, Ikorodu Bus Park, Okota Link Bridge, LASU Campus gates, Iyana Ipaja Underbridge, and Agege Pen Cinema, among others.

The movement warned that failure to provide the required transportation would compel protesters to march to the court-designated parks daily. Taofeek also advised the Lagos state government to prepare for the possibility of the protests extending beyond ten days, as the movement is determined to continue until their demands are met. He stressed the need for the administration to ensure the safety of bus operators by parking at a safe distance from rally and procession areas.

The Take It Back Movement’s letter concluded with a reminder for the administration to uphold the protesters’ rights and safety during the #EndBadGovernance actions, which the movement is committed to conducting in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Sen. Sahabi Ya’u (APC – Zamfara North) has urged youths to refrain from participating in the planned nationwide protest, warning that it could exacerbate the insecurity issues in Zamfara State. During a news conference in Gusau on Tuesday, Ya’u emphasized that the state has been severely impacted by banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes, resulting in a significant humanitarian crisis.

He cautioned that joining the mass protest, which could be hijacked by hoodlums, would only worsen the already dire situation in Zamfara. Instead, he encouraged youths to seek dialogue with the government to address their grievances, rather than engaging in activities that could lead to further instability.

“The state has been crippled by banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes, resulting in a serious humanitarian crisis,” Ya’u stated. “Joining this mass protest that could be hijacked by hoodlums will only worsen the situation of Zamfara state.”

Ya’u also highlighted that governments at various levels are implementing policies to address the rising cost of living and strengthen the economy, urging patience and dialogue as better alternatives to protests. “In every good thing, there is always a challenge that comes with it, so we must give the government time to allow such policies to mature,” he added. “We must therefore embrace dialogue with the government, which is always a better option than protest, because its attendant consequences will never be pleasant.”

He stressed that allowing security agencies to focus on combating banditry and kidnapping is crucial for the state’s stability and security.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound condolences to the family of the late Onyeka Onwenu, a distinguished Nigerian icon celebrated for her contributions to music, acting, journalism, activism, and politics. In a heartfelt statement, President Tinubu mourned Onwenu’s passing and lauded her lasting impact on Nigeria’s cultural and social landscape.

He praised her for her 1990s hit, “One Love,” which he described as an anthem that “evoked a fervour of fellowship and harmony,” highlighting her dedication to promoting unity and the public good through her art. The President also fondly recalled her collaboration with King Sunny Ade on the 1980s classic, “Wait for Me,” which was a melodic campaign for family planning.

“Her artistic interventions in promoting public good were many and memorable,” he noted, celebrating her ability to bring joy and laughter to countless individuals through her various artistic endeavors.

President Tinubu extended his sympathies to the entertainment industry, the government of Imo State, and the numerous fans mourning this “immeasurable loss.” He expressed hope for Onwenu’s eternal peace, envisioning her in a place “where the music never fades and where there is ‘Dancing in the Sun’.”

He concluded by affirming that Onwenu’s legacy would live on through her timeless masterpieces, ensuring that her contributions to Nigerian culture and society will not be forgotten.

Security measures have been intensified around the access points of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal-II (MMA2) in anticipation of a planned protest. Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, the operator of the MMA2 terminal, has coordinated with various security agencies to ensure the safety of passengers and property.

Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Bi-Courtney’s Head of Corporate Communications, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that monitoring of the situation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to maintain safety at the terminal. “We are monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with security agencies at the terminal. We have beefed up security at our access points to ensure passenger safety at the airport,” she said.

Monica Oguta, Head of Aviation Security at Bi-Courtney, added that they have sought support from the Nigerian Police Force, the military airport command, and other relevant security agencies to ensure adequate protection during the protest.

Despite the heightened security, normal flight operations continue as of Wednesday morning, ensuring that the airport remains functional and passengers can proceed with their travel plans without disruptions.

The Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) has launched an initiative to create 5000 remote job opportunities for residents. The program, announced by ONDEA Chairman Sunny Francis, who also serves as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is designed to tackle unemployment, boost economic growth, and establish Akure as the tech capital of Nigeria.

Francis emphasized the transformative potential of this five-year initiative, which collaborates with international companies to provide sustainable employment that allows residents to work from home. Job placements will span various fields, including tech, off-site perimeter surveillance, content creation and design, digital marketing, software development, virtual customer service, and remote writing and editing.

The initiative aims to enhance living standards, reduce poverty levels, and contribute to the state’s economic development by generating increased income and economic activity. Interested individuals can visit ONDEA’s portal at www.ondea.ng/remotejobs for more information.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that nearly 19 million adolescent girls will have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the age of 20. A new analysis in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health reveals that 16% of adolescent girls faced such violence in the past year. Dr. Pascale Allotey of WHO emphasizes the severe and lasting harm caused by intimate partner violence during these formative years, highlighting it as a significant public health issue requiring targeted prevention and support.

The analysis shows high rates of violence against adolescent girls, with regional variations—Oceania and central sub-Saharan Africa having the highest rates, while central Europe and central Asia have the lowest. Intimate partner violence is more prevalent in lower-income countries, where fewer girls attend secondary school, and girls have weaker legal rights. Child marriage and spousal age differences also increase risks.

Dr. Lynnmarie Sardinha, another WHO expert, stresses the need for policies promoting gender equality, secondary education for girls, and the end of harmful practices like child marriage to reduce gender-based violence. WHO is working with countries to measure and address violence against women, with new guidelines on preventing child marriage expected by the end of 2024.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed confidence that politicians who lost the 2023 elections are behind the upcoming nationwide protest against the high cost of living, scheduled from August 1 to August 10. He believes the protest is not organic and accused these politicians of trying to gain power through the backdoor, which he warned could lead to anarchy.

Akpabio advised Nigerian youths not to be misled politically, emphasizing that any destruction of property would cost Nigeria money that could otherwise be used for development. This statement was made after President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law.

In a related development, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ayodele Sonubi, assured that peaceful and lawful protesters in the state would receive adequate protection, emphasizing the commitment to maintain peace and order.

The Federal Government has declared all 256 custodial centres across Nigeria as “red zones” ahead of the planned nationwide protests on August 1. Haliru Nababa, Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), emphasized that individuals without legitimate business should avoid these centres. He warned that attacking or tampering with these facilities could lead to a breakdown of law and order and exacerbate security issues.

Nababa stated that custodial and non-custodial centres are critical national assets essential for public safety and national security. He urged the public to cooperate with the NCoS to protect correctional facilities and reported that adequate security measures, including the activation of the Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF), have been put in place.

The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities via email at info@corrections.gov.ng, the official website www.corrections.gov.ng, or by calling 09060004598 or 08075050006 directly.