By Esther Akaa, Lafia
Youths in Nasarawa State have declined participation in the planned August 1, 2024, nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria.
Grassroots Parrot had reported how some anonymous groups are planning a nationwide protest tagged “End Bad Government” beginning on August 1, with the aim of addressing the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.
Speaking at a stakeholders engagement on Friday in Lafia, Chairman, National Youth Congress in Nasarawa State, Comrade Jafar Loko, said the youths in the state have chosen dialogue over protest, considering the negative effects the action portends to the state and country at large.
According to him, young people were among the most vulnerable to manipulation by selfish politicians who may be looking for opportunities to destabilize the state and cause destruction during and after the protest.
He said it is therefore their responsibility to ensure peace and unity in the state.
Loko stressed that the youths were dealing with a number of issues, all of which he believed could be surmounted through dialogue with relevant authorities.
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“We have challenges, but we believe that those challenges are surmountable. Protests, uprisings, and demonstrations cannot yield the desired results, but dialogue and understanding will resolve our problems.
“We have seen the negative effects of protests, even though the organizers may have good intentions, but they can be hijacked by hoodlums or some self-centered individuals for personal interest.
“The youth of Nasarawa are peace ambassadors, and we will continue to remain peaceful. This is because our youth-friendly governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has continued to provide the dividends of democracy to the citizens of the state through the implementation of government policies and programs that are beneficial to citizens.” He said.
He, therefore, urged the youth, especially students, not to allow themselves to be used to cause confusion in the state and country at large.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Comrade Haruna Ibrahim Saleh, commended Governor Sule for initiating policies for the progress of the state.
He called on the government to provide avenues to collectively dialogue and arrive at resolutions rather than taking to the streets to protest.
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Earlier in his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Sule on Youth and Student Affairs, Hon. Shaibu Sani, said the meeting was to provide the youths with the opportunity to discuss ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
Sani said that the governor has prioritized the welfare of youths in the state through youth-inclusive programs aimed at supporting their growth and development.
“The administration of Governor Sule has created employment opportunities for the youth, as over 8,000 young people have been employed as teachers and civil servants.
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“Also, those who were working on a casual basis have been given permanent and pensionable jobs. There are also interventions in the education sector to improve the standard of education through the provision of scholarships and bursaries to students and infrastructural development in all facets of the state,” he added.
The SSA said that although there were challenges facing youths in the state, the advancements and successes recorded by the Sule-led administration were enough to discourage them from joining the proposed nationwide protest but rather seek dialogue with the government for improved well-being of the people.
Sani therefore called on the youths to support the policies and programs of government for the betterment of citizens, ensuring that the government will continue to do its best to improve the welfare of the people.