STORY: Nigerian president urges end to cost-of-living protests, calls for dialogue
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 4, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 6, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:29
LOCATION: Abuja
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of protests
2. SOUNDBITE (English): BOLA TINUBU, Nigerian President

STORYLINE:

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Sunday appealed for the ongoing cost-of-living protests across the country to be halted, while urging protesting citizens to make room for dialogue with the government.
   
Delivering a national broadcast on Sunday morning, Tinubu expressed bitterness over the loss of lives and destruction of public and private facilities during the protests so far, saying the development is contrary to the promise of the organizers of the protests, which began on Thursday.

SOUNDBITE (English): BOLA TINUBU, Nigerian President
"My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and the frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening (to) and addressing the concerns of our citizens." 
  
In addressing the concerns of the citizens, Tinubu vowed to continue to carry out reforms that will be beneficial to all Nigerians, improve and expand the national infrastructure, and create more opportunities for young people.
   
The Nigerian leader acknowledged the current economic hardships in the country, explaining that the economy has remained "anemic" for decades and taken a dip because of "many misalignments that have stunted our growth."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Abuja.
(XHTV)