News Editor
By Edwin Philip
The youth leader of Alago Development Association (ADA) Akwe Julius James has urge members of his association to disembark from the planned national protest against the hardship faced by Nigerians under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or if they must be cautious and decerning in their actions. The youth leader would rather sue for the prioritizing of the safety of their communities and the country as a whole.
In a press release he personally signed, Akwe said applying restraint in the midst of the frustration faced by the Nigerian people and embracing peaceful dialogue and constructive criticism are the most effective means to addressing their collective challenges.
“As your leader whom you entrusted with the mandate of piloting your affairs, I’m issuing this urgent appeal to you all to exercise restraint and avoid participating in the planned protest. While I understand the frustrations and aspirations of our young people, I believe that peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement are the most effective means to address our collective challenges.”
He added that while he acknowledges the importance of the voices of citizens to be heard through activism and the desire for change so as to deep democracy which is the driver of this protest, he recalled that history has shown that protests can escalate into violence, leading to loss of lives, property, and other forms of social unrest.
Urging his members to learn lessons from the #ENDSARS and #RevolutionNow protests, though rooted in genuine grievances, were marred by tragic incidences and outcomes where miscreants hijacked the process, that led to widespread looting, destruction of property, and unfortunate loss of lives, which are the indications that mass demonstrations can quickly degenerate into chaos if not properly managed and coordinated, advising his members across the nation to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances.
“I recommend giving the government more time to address these pressing concerns. This period should be used to explore other legal avenues that will not easily give hoodlums the opportunity to hijack the exercise to destroy our state assets or endanger lives and properties. Dialogue, petitions, and town hall meetings are viable options that can yield positive results without the risk of disorder”
The Alago youth leader, however, demanded that government at all levels should implement the newly approved national minimum wage to provide immediate relief to struggling families.
On the issue of insecurity which has degenerated into kidnappings, banditry, and mass killings he solicited that specific measures must be taken to put an end to it , as it is a plague that has befallen the nation, stating that the security and well-being of every Nigerian should be paramount, and urgent action is required to restore peace and order.
“We also call on the government to expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. There is an urgent need for more refined and effective policies that address the root causes of the economic challenges we face. The government must deepen its consultations with stakeholders, including religious leaders, to create a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to problem-solving”.
He advocated that through a peaceful means, goals can be achieved to create a better future for them and generations to come, as the demonstration of maturity, responsibility, and leadership is to chose the path of peace.
