By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
Some Civil Society Groups, under the aegis of Concerned Civil Society Organizations in Kogi State, has called on Nigerians especially the Youth of Kogi State not to take part in the planned Nationwide Protests in Nigeria, slated for 1st August, 2024.
Addressing Journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists press center in Lokoja on Thursday, the leader of the group Salihu Abubakar Onimisi said that they found it pertinent to advice Nigerians and Kogi youths in particular not to answer the call for any protest anywhere in the state.
He added that the Concerned Civil Society Organizations in Kogi State, as an amalgamation of over Thirty Youth groups, Women Organizations, Artisans and Civil Society Groups, said, while it recognize every citizen’s right to protest, necessary caution must also be put into consideration to avoid highjack which often leads to destruction of both lives and property as witnessed it was witnessed in the End SARS Protest.
Speaking further he said “We have enquired to identify those behind the protest, we fear that till date, no one nor group of persons has been identified to be calling for the protest and we can not be led by faceless individuals to protest. It is also important we consider and put into consideration whether the present government should be totally blamed for the current hardship.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is exactly One year, one month and twenty four days today in office as president, it is therefore fair to give him time to turn things around. It is obvious and true that the economy of Nigeria is in a bad state and going through a process of restoration, the nation is passing through one of the hardest periods in history, however protest is not the immediate solution to our problem, rather, we continue to engage the government constructively in areas we deemed necessary.
“Fellow Kogi State Youth, Nigeria cannot afford a total halt in its economic activities due to these planned actions as the country may not be able to recover from the effects. Countries like Sudan, Libya and Yemen are completely destroyed till date as a result of the citizens riot against their governments. Nigeria cannot afford such a situation, we must continue to agitate for the masses in such a manner that it will not add more suffering to what the country is already passing through. He stressed
They however used the medium to call on the attention of the Government to immediately address some of the challenges which he noted has brought serious hardship on the people.
They maintained that government must urgently tackle the rise in inflation rate which he said has risen from 22.8 in 2023 to 34.2 in June 2024, put an end to Insecurity in Nigeria and ensure adequate food security for Nigerians by securing their farmlands
Other issues raised by the group includes: reversal of the Tuition Fees of students studying in higher Institutions, reverse the hike in electricity tariffs, revitalize the refineries to optimal production, as well as reduce the cost of Governance at all levels, noting that
the above, if properly put into consideration will gradually return Nigeria back to the path of progress and prosperity.
He added that State Governors in Nigeria must also rise up by towing the path of investments into Agriculture and security especially as it is seen in Kogi State by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo who they said has demonstrated the political will to take Kogi State to the promise land.
“We hereby stressed that if all states can invest more into production than consumption, then the economy will once again bounce back and regain its strength.