Yoruba youths condemn planned protest, seek dialogue

The Coalition of Yoruba Youth leaders on Thursday called on organisers of the planned nationwide protest in August to shelve the idea and remain calm.

President-General of the coalition, Dr Tolani Hassan, said in a statement in Lagos that the apex umbrella body for all Yoruba youth associations and organisations had dissociated itself from the protest.

Hassan, who is also the National President, Yoruba Youths Association Worldwide , however, said that the coalition recognised the plight of Nigerians.

“The economy is unfriendly, the cost of living is outrageous and out of the reach of the common man.

“It is also true that the inflation rate is in the double digit and the unemployment rate in Nigeria is alarming.

“So many graduates are out there with no means of survival. The Federal Government has not employed people in the last couple of years.

“However, the leadership of Yoruba youth leaders do not want a repeat of the ENDSARS saga, hence, our call for protest cancellation and calm,” he said.

The president-general urged the organisers to rather employ other measures to make the government across levels understand the economic hardship in the land.

“There should be a more refined manner of getting our leaders to hear our plights other than protest.

“There are agitations and insecurity in every part of the country, any attempt to have a protest now may cause mayhem, which is not the solution to our pressing challenges.

“The apex body of the entire youths in Yoruba land expressly dissociates itself from the planned protest.

“We will defend the entire South-West against any form of destruction by disgruntled elements, who may want to cause havoc in the region, particularly, Lagos state,” Hassan said.

Similarly, Hassan stated that the need to embrace unity, pointing out that dialogue is the best way while consultation is a better approach.

He, however, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to listen to the youth -“his children”, who were agitated.

“We love you Sir, Mr President, but we are hungry and unemployed,” the president-general said.

The youth leader advised Tinubu to directly interface with all the youth leaders in the various geo-political zones, saying the use of intermediaries would not bring results.

He called for a National Youth Summit, where all the various youth leaders would discuss with Mr President and address all the prevailing issues.

Stressing the coalition’s continued support for the President, Hassan urged the Federal Government to review both the monetary and fiscal policies, in the interest of the Nigerian masses.

He called for concerted effort by both the public and organised private sector to engage in massive employment generation and reduction of job losses.

“The economy should be friendly to both local and foreign investors. The power sector should be completely overhauled. This is the hub of the economy,” Hassan said.

He called for the review of educational curriculum from primary to tertiary level and inculcation of practical skills, including agriculture, to make Nigerian youths self-reliant.

The youth leader, who appreciated the inclusion of youths in the Federal cabinet, demanded for more, and urged the Federal Government to regularly engage the youth leadership of the various geo-political zones.

“35 per cent slots should be given to youths in the federal cabinet and federal boards appointment,” he said.

There have been reports that some Nigerians, under various bodies, are planning a nationwide protest from Aug.1 to Aug.10, over the rising cost of living and economic hardships.

(NAN)