Onyekachi Eze 
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has begun consultations ahead of the August 1 nationwide protests against bad governance.
It said it had instructed its 104 affiliated youth organisations to be on standby. President Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo in a statement after a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and 36 state chairmen and other stakeholders via Zoom yesterday expressed concerns over the widespread hardship in the country. Sukubo said:
“NYCN leaders acknowledged that the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria, including rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and the general hardship experienced by citizens, particularly the youths, have reached alarming levels.
“These issues have sparked widespread agi – tation and calls for nationwide protests. “The NYCN, as the umbrella body representing over 100 youth organisations across the country, recognises the urgency of these matters and the need for a coordinated response.”
