KADUNA RELIGIOUS LEADERS WARN YOUTHS ON NATiON WIDE PROTEST

By Gambo Abubakar Kaduna 

Nigerians have been advised to disregard the coming proposed nationwide strike programmed to commence from August 1-10, 2024 as it will compound the present challenges and problems facing the nation.

This plea was made by the Arewa House Center for Research and Historical Documentation, Ahmadu Bello University at a Stakeholders Engagement on the State of the Nation, held at Arewa House in Kaduna.

In the Communique released after a close door meeting signed and read by Prof. Shuiabu Aliyu, the Nigerians should seek dialogue in settling problems with government as countries whose citizens towed the line of protests and strikes to resolve economic and social challenges facing their countries are still reaping the devastating consequences of their actions. 

"We know the social challenges of hyper inflation, unemployment and hunger currently bedeviling the masses of this country, but after our deliberations we are urging Nigerians to please explore alternatives to protests."

Stakeholders advised against the proposed nationwide protest as there can and will be negative consequences. They said that the negative impact of the planned will/might leave many dead and millions displaced as in the case of Sudan.

According to Prof. Aliyu Nigerians should learn from the Venezuela, Yemen, Syria and Sudanes cases, after these countries' masses demonstrated nationwide things haven't been the same. 

"Civil strikes are often hijack by mischief bent on bringing down the ruling government either by opposition parties or foreign adversaries of the government in power."

"These strikes breed unrest which leads to death (loss of lives), destruction of economic activities  and natural resources. In the Sudan story over 150,000 died while over 2 million were displaced. In that of Yemen according to United Nations report over 373,000 were killed due to fighting that erupted after the protests and strikes with 2.5 million especially women and children displaced even into.neighbouring countries.

Prof. Aliyu explained that the proposed nationwide strike might eventually end like that of EndSARS protest of 2022 which engaged over 10,000 and had many killed and so proposed dialogue as answer and situation to resolving salient issues.

The center that invited personalities from all facets of the society proposed that government should address the problem of unemployment, hunger and youth unrestivenss, by employing alternative avenues of reaching out to the people either by Town Hall meetings in enlightening the people on policies and programmes.

"Government should promote youth empowerment, skill acquisition and training, invest in justice and equity for all. Religious leaders on the other hand should stop preaching and promoting hatred amongst different religious sets in their sermons. The media should practice true professionalism in their reportage by being objective."

Politicians were urged to use the upcoming local government elections as a litmus test for promoting unity regardless of party lines.

"They should mind their campaign language especially now that local government arm is now autonomous and the closest to the people."