Adeiyi Adure
The Peace Corps of Nigeria has urged the Nigerian Youth to further exercise patience amidst rising tension over the planned Nationwide Hunger Protest.
The Youths are advised to embrace diplomacy while consulting and engaging the Government on issues affecting the Nation
Addressing a World Press Conference on the state of the Nation and the proposed planned nationwide hunger protests in Abuja on Tuesday 30th, June 2024, the National Commandant of the Corps, Prof. Dickson Akoh expressed his concerns of not bei g ignorant of the biting economic reality in the country characterized by the growth in the poverty level of the populace which the effect is very visible for all to see.
“It is the stand of the Corps that any step that carries with it the potential to metamorphose to a crisis situation should be considered inimical to the general good of the country and the entire citizenry. The Corps is very much concerned about the likely aftermath of the proposed protest and thus pleads with its organizers to consider the very much better diplomatic option of dialogue and persuation rather than the option of protest in an already volatile and tensed polity and which protest is highly susceptible to the activities of enemies of Nigeria who will not hesitate to use the platform to unleash their ill intention and stifle life out of the vulnerable citizens of the country” he said
Akoh further stated that while the Corps appreciate the everyday enormous challenges confronting Nigerians as a result of the ongoing reforms with its attendant initial hardship by the Federal Government, it is imperative to be reminded that the present administration of His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, is barely a year and two months in office.
However, there is no doubt that the present administration inherited a myriad of issues including high level of insecurity which it has thus far demonstrated a strong willingness and capacity to overcome. Realistically speaking too, it will be a demand of the impossible to expect that these several and complex challenges that have existed for over three decades will all be resolved overnight.
Akoh noted that over the years Nigeria youth have demonstrated that they are innately endowed with all the necessary tools to achieve a peaceful nation.
In conclusion, when asked by the press the appropriate time to protest if not now with the high level of hunger and hardship in the Nation?
In response, the National Commandant said i. addressing every social challenges, there should be some level of consultations and diplomacy. The Government should be given benefits of doubt to address issues on ground, and that protest should be the last resort”.