As momentum gathers ahead of the planned National protest on the 1st of August, a powerful youth-led socio-cultural organization with structure across the country has announced its decision to withdraw from the protest, calling on other Nigerians to do the same for the good of the nation.
Known as “The Federation of Indigenous and Community Youth Organization (FICYO), the group in a statement signed by its National President, Amb. Akanni Michael said it anticipated the possibility of certain elements hijacking the protest to cause the destruction of properties,which must be resisted at all costs based on lessons of the Endsars protest, urging for more time for peaceful dialogue instead.
“We urge the youths across the nation to prioritize dialogue over destruction and avoid actions that may lead to chaos and breakdown of law and order.
“The ENDSARS protest in Lagos and some other parts of Nigeria, which was hijacked by disgruntled elements, resulted in the loss of innocent lives and properties worth billions of Naira.
“Similarly, genuine agitations in Kenya and other parts of the world have turned violent, causing harm to lives and properties.
We are using this medium to encourage our youths to Let us learn from these experiences and tread softly”, the group urged.
FICYO acknowledged the great efforts being put in by the Tinubu government to fix the nation’s economy, as he challenged well-meaning Nigerians including the youths to give this administration their maximum support to do more.
According to the group, the newly approved minimum wage and removal of duties on some items are among the commendable policies by the government that can help ameliorate the hardship faced by Nigerians.
It reads, “While we acknowledge the current economic hardships,” we recognize that our economy has been struggling since the last dispensation.
We must be honest with ourselves – we cannot expect overnight solutions.
“However, we acknowledge the positive impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies, including the new minimum wage, removal of duties on essential food items, and student loans. We realized that there’s a need for FICYO to rise to this cause and give support to the Government for these Initiatives to be beneficial to Nigerians.
“These efforts demonstrate the government’s commitment to reviving the economy. We are appealing to Nigerians to support the President’s Initiatives to establish a sustainable economic model that benefits all.
“We implore leaders and stakeholders in government to educate and sensitize the public on the need to understand and patiently support President Tinubu’s policies, allowing them to manifest and improve lives. Partnership and collaboration is very key because the Government cannot do it alone.
” FICYO is ready to partner with the Government with our structure across Nigeria to ensure people benefit from the policies and Initiatives of government because this is the core mandate of the organization”.
FICYO recommended that instead of protesting, the people should ;
“Choose dialogue and engage our government representatives from our Constituency over destruction and work together towards a brighter future for our nation
.
“Let us hold our leaders, including Governors, Senators, House of Representatives members, and State Assemblies, accountable for the hardships in our various states.
“By embracing peaceful dialogue with Government and stakeholders, we can address our grievances and build a more prosperous Nigeria for all”.
The group also called on the urgency in holding the National Assembly members more accountable, submitting that they have failed in their primary duties and oversight functions.
According to FICYO, there is “no Constituency Town Hall Meeting again and feedback channels is very poor which brings us to this stage.
“In Nigeria, nobody wants to take responsibility for anything. Because people are poor, some will take advantage of a planned protest by taking off and looting. Protesters will then argue those are sponsored. Not necessarily. A poor and hungry man needs no encouragement to loot for survival. He needs no sponsors.
“Our challenge with protests in Nigeria recently is the fact that all activities must halt. Secondly, there must always be the accompanying destruction of lives and property. Law-abiding people are not allowed to go about their own business.
“Until we recognize that a protest does not mean everyone must join or agree with you (as long as they are not getting in your way), we should not protest. Even when elections occur, people live their lives and do what they need to do.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has got our messages clearly through Various channels agitating for National Protest and with these facts, the Federation of Indigenous and Community Youth Organization with our structures in 774 Local Government Areas across the nation is backing out from the National Protest.
All members and affiliate community organizations are advised through the office of the National President to back out from the National Protest.
“We encourage all youth groups and individuals to withdraw from the protest and give the Government 60 days to work out the modalities to ease Nigerians from the issues relating to hunger and the poor economic situation in the nation” it added.
