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Tag: Nigerian youths

  • Mixed reactions trail planned nationwide protest

    Mixed reactions trail planned nationwide protest

    Mixed reactions trail planned nationwide protest

    Mixed reactions trail planned nationwide protest

    Mixed reactions have continued to trail the planned nationwide protest, as called by some unnamed groups, over the current hardship in the country.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some undisclosed bodies planned the protest for Aug. 1, with posters and hashtags already going viral on social media platforms.

     

    Speaking with NAN in Ibadan on Thursday, some respondents opposed the protest, while others saw it as the people’s legitimate and fundamental right to air their grievances.

     

    A civil servant at the state secretariat, Mrs Toyin Olutimilehin, said the protest might not be positive for the polity because it could disrupt their work schedule.

     

    “It can affect our daily routine because, sometimes, these protests get out of control.

     

    “They will sometimes block the main road to cause extreme traffic, leading to obstruction of duty and interference at work,” she said.

     

    Another civil servant, Mr Folarin Babatunde, also opposed the idea of protesting to be heard.

     

    According to him, the protest is only an excuse for the youths to show their presence and an opportunity for criminals to exhibit their criminal tendencies.

     

    “It will lead to criminal activities such as vandalism and the destruction of properties, putting lives at stake.

     

    “People put their lives at risk all in the name of a better country, and what is the assurance that this protest will solve the country’s many problems?

     

    “Rome was not built in a day; give the president time to renovate the country at his pace,” Babatunde said.

     

    Meanwhile, Mrs Olanrewaju Temitope, a trader at the Ring Road axis of Ibadan, was more interested in protecting her business should the protest end in looting and destruction of properties.

     

    “Besides, sales for that period will be low, affecting my day-to-day life.

     

    “My rent is due, and the protest will negatively affect my income, thus restricting me from paying my rent.

     

    “Please, Nigerians shouldn’t go through with the protest as it can lead to many things; it won’t still solve their problems,” she said.

     

    On the other hand, a youth corps member, Mr Ifeanyi Eze, says he wholeheartedly supports the protest.

     

    According to him, the country is in a state of distress, and everybody is just used to suffering and smiling; this protest is the only way for us to be heard and seen.

     

    Eze said, “Although the protest might not lead to a complete change, it will at least make them see that we want a change, and we’ll be heard.

     

    “This hardship is too much to bear. Dangote is also feeling it, as he’s always granting one interview or the other these days.

     

    “I want a better country, and if a protest is how to get it, then that is what we’ll do.”

     

    A passerby, Steven Ayobami, said he would support the protest because of the hardship brought about by the bad economy.

     

    “For a middle-class family to be frustrated to this extent, what of the poor? The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.

     

    “What we need in Nigeria is to act, and as for me, I want a better life,” Ayobami said. (NAN)

  • Protest: Shelve proposed nationwide protest, IG tells organisers

    Protest: Shelve proposed nationwide protest, IG tells organisers

    Shelve proposed nationwide protest, IG tells organisers

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday warned groups planning and mobilising for a nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country scheduled to begin August 1, 2024, to have a re-think and jettison the plan because it is ill-advised.

     

    He spoke against the backdrop of viral social media campaigns about the proposed protest which is gaining momentum, adding that the country had had its fair share of violent protests with dastardly consequences.

     

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    Speaking at a meeting with DIGs, AIGs and command police commissioners of the 36 states and FCT in Abuja, Egbetokun reminded Nigerians that the last #EndSARS protest aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts.

     

    He said: “Before concluding this address, it is important I address an issue of urgent national importance which appears to have gained some momentum, particularly on social media, in the past few weeks.

     

    “Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategizing and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.

     

    “While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder.

     

    “As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences.

     

    “The last #EndSARS protest led to one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, as well as the loss of several lives. Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise.

     

    “Rather than lead to any positive outcome, #EndSARS merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country. Indeed, we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these protests.”

     

    Consequently, Egbetokun urged the citizens to jettison the proposed protest, insisting that the police had a responsibility to protect citizens and their properties.

     

    “Our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously. We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities.

     

    “We will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleashed on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again,” he added.

     

    The IGP said measures were in place to ensure that any hoodlums attempting to disguise themselves as protesters would be apprehended.

     

    He said: “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians.”