Economic hardship: Protest can’t solve Nigeria’s problems – Ogun chiefs

The Ogun State Council of Chiefs has urged Nigerians to prioritize dialogue and engagement as a means of addressing the country’s economic challenges rather than resorting to the planned 10-day protest.
The Council maintained that protest cannot solve the current economic crisis, noting that, rather, it can result in the destruction of lives, properties and government infrastructure.
The Oluwo Ijemo and Aro of Egba, Chief Oluyinka Kufile who spoke on Monday during a press conference heralding the 2024 Ijemo Day celebration, stated that once these vital elements are damaged, it may become challenging to create new development initiatives.
Kufile stated that the celebration slated for August 3rd to 10th is to celebrate the 110th Ijemo Massacre, history and culture.
The high chief while recounting the 1914 Ijemo massacre warned that engaging in violent protests tends to cause more harm than to offer solutions.
Kufile stressed that Nigerians must find a way to provide for themselves and reduce the tension and hunger in the country without solely depending on the government.
He said, “What happen then in our own time was because someone was arrested and died while in detention.
“Now as at that time whether everybody likes it or not people will die and people will live. But in an environment where there’s an issue the only solution is amicable resolution.
“If we have some buildings and there is no money to renovate them then, some people will now say they want to protest and burn things down. Where are we going to get money to build another one? it is important that we have to dialogue.”
The Council of Chiefs maintained that while the country might be facing challenges with the development of new infrastructures destroying existing once would only cause more harm than good.
“It is getting difficult for development now, money is no longer the issues that we use to have, creating houses, great infrastructure are very difficult to put together now. We have money in existence but the value is limited.
“So whatever we have or that our forefathers have built either the federal, state or local government level let us strive to make sure that we sustain and maintain them. Damaging what we have been able to put together cannot solve any problem.”
Economic hardship: Protest can’t solve Nigeria’s problems – Ogun chiefs