By Sunday Apah
The Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA) Worldwide has proposed solutions that could help prevent the upcoming nationwide protests against hunger and hardship.
Comrade Eniwake Orogun, the President of INYA, addressed the prevailing hardship in the country resulting from rushed government policies in a statement released to the media on Saturday.
Orogun, a former President of the Students Union Government (SUG) at the University of Benin, suggested that President Bola Tinubu engage in dialogue with the protest organizers and reassess some of the administration’s policies that have contributed to the hardships faced by the populace. This approach, he believes, could avert the planned strike scheduled from August 1 to August 10.
The Isoko youth leader also appealed to both the youths and security forces to refrain from engaging in violent protests or damaging national and state assets. He urged the security agencies to handle any potential protests with civility if dialogue fails and the protests proceed.
“The current state of our nation is precarious, with various sectors facing significant challenges, including the economy, security, socio-political landscape, and overall societal well-being,” said Orogun. “While it is often said that there is light at the end of the tunnel, the length of this particular tunnel seems daunting, with no visible signs of progress in sight.”
“Our leaders must learn from the 2011 Arab Spring and the recent not too good experience of the Endsars protest from which Africa and Nigeria is yet to fully recover from and act in the best interest of the nation.
“To our dear youths and fellow comrades, we stand by you at this trying time.
“However, if the protest must hold, hopefully it does not, let us be reminded that though our right to peaceful protest is inalienable and guaranteed by our constitution, we do not have the right to be destructive and violent. No one benefits from the destruction of national assets, if anything, it increases the suffering which the protest stands against.
“To our gallant security personnel, we implore you not to fall to the temptation of responding with brute force to our people, should the protest hold.
Recognize that people are experiencing hunger and frustration, and the minimum expected of you is to fulfill your constitutional duty to protect lives and property.
“We are facing a challenging period in our history as a nation, but together we can overcome it.”
