'We hear you loud and clear', acting President tells protesters

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has told protesters who emptied onto the streets of Lagos and Abuja, that the federal government has heard them loud and clear.

The #IStandWithNigeria protests took off in Lagos and Abuja as scheduled, even though pop star 2Face Idibia had pulled out some 48 hours earlier.

Chief among the demands of the protesters is that government fixes an ailing economy made even worse by a slump in the global price of oil, galloping inflation and unemployment.

President Muhammadu Buhari handed over the reins of State to Vice President Osinbajo who has been calling the shots in an acting capacity.

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Buhari is away on medical leave and sought for an extension of his vacation from parliament last Sunday.

"To those who are protesting, WE HEAR YOU loud and clear", Osinbajo tweeted, moments ago.

He added that: "To those who are on the streets protesting the economic situation and those who are not, but feel the pain of economic hardship, we hear you.

"You deserve a decent life and and we are working night and day to make life easier", Osinbajo promised.

The protesters were drawn from all sectors of the Nigerian community, including the arts and NGO sectors.

UPDATE: Osinbajo spoke during the consultative forum between the Economic Management Team and the Private Sector on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan, which is to be launched later this month.

Below are excerpts from that speech:

"WE HEAR YOU loud and clear, those who are on the streets protesting the economic situation and even those who are not, but feel the pain of economic hardship. We hear you loud and clear. You deserve a decent life and and we are working night and day to make life easier.

"I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis, the recession for many individuals and families is real. For some it means not being able to pay school fees, for others it is not being able to afford the high cost of rice, millet, or of local or international travel. And for many of our young people, the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic.

"I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary, and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices.

"The journey out of the damage caused by years of neglect and corruption is bound to be difficult but there is a glorious light at the end of the tunnel. Let us work together, steadfastly and patiently for the economic change that will come very soon".