The Enugu Innovative Youths, a prominent youth organization, has called for calm and the suspension of the proposed nationwide protest set to commence on Thursday, August 1.
The group made their position known in a communique issued after their meeting in the Enugu State capital over the weekend.
Call for Calm
Presenting the communique, the Chairman of the group, Collins Nonso, highlighted the severe challenges facing Nigeria due to the removal of fuel subsidies, high food prices, and the depreciation of the naira.
“Nigeria is currently experiencing serious challenges, owing to the hunger and financial downturn occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, coupled with high cost of food and the depreciation of the naira,” Nonso said.
Concerns Over Youth Despondency
Nonso expressed concern over the plight of Nigerian youths, who are presumed to be the leaders of tomorrow but currently find themselves in a state of helplessness and despondency due to the current economic climate.
“The Nigerian youths, who are presumed to be the leaders of tomorrow, have been found in a state of helplessness and despondency, owing to the blurring of their hitherto bright future,” he stated.
Justification for Protest
While acknowledging the justification for the proposed nationwide protest, Nonso called for a rethink and retreat from the planned action.
“However, while the proposed nationwide protest is justifiable, owing to the current state of affairs of our country, we call for a rethink and retreat from the proposed protest by our youths,” he urged.
Emphasis on Peace in Enugu
Nonso specifically called for peace and calm in Enugu State, emphasizing the positive changes brought about by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.
“Importantly, we call for peace and calmness in Enugu State. We strongly appeal that it is rather very premature in our state, which is currently experiencing a breath of fresh air in all sectors under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah. Our future has never been this bright,” he said.
Lessons from ENDSARS Protest
The group expressed serious concerns over a potential repeat of the 2020 ENDSARS protest, during which hoodlums hijacked the process and unleashed destruction and terror.
“We were all witnesses to the mayhem visited on Enugu in October 2020 when the ENDSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums, hence, we appeal to fellow youths of Enugu State to withdraw and distance ourselves from what could result to such destruction of our common heritage a second time,” Nonso warned.
Preserving Enugu’s Peace and Progress
Nonso highlighted the infrastructural gains in Enugu over the past 14 months and cautioned against actions that could reverse this progress.
“Enugu State is our own and one of the most peaceful and productive states of the federation.
We cannot relapse to a state of anarchy and a reversal of the infrastructural gains of the last 14 months, which the nationwide protest will plunge us into,” he said.
He added, “We are aware that any protest in Enugu will destroy our common heritage which Governor Mbah is assiduously working to revive by his massive infrastructural projects.”
Safety Concerns
The group expressed deep concerns over the safety of the youth, fearing potential loss of lives as witnessed during the ENDSARS protest.
“We do not want to lose the lives of our dear youths in such protest, which hoodlums are planning to hijack by availing them the brazen opportunity to execute their sinister motives of triggering attacks on the peaceful youths of the state,” Nonso stated.
Job Creation and Dialogue
The Enugu Innovative Youths acknowledged the state government’s plans for job creation and youth empowerment through strategic programmes.
“We are also aware that Enugu State Government has plans for more job creation for the youths through its strategic programmes and training of our youths in tech and entrepreneurship development, among others.
We must not lose our lives to any protest but must be beneficiaries of the lofty vision,” the group stated.
Call for Government Engagement
The group called on the federal and state governments to engage with the youth in meaningful dialogue to address unemployment and poverty.
They urged, “We call on the federal government and the Enugu State Government to engage the youths in a heart-to-heart dialogue on the best way to drastically reduce the unemployment rate and poverty headcount index among the youths.”
