Youths have been urged to calm all grievances that led to the recent restiveness in the country and give the government the opportunity to act on their demands.
Recall that youths all over the nation few weeks ago began a protest, agitating for Government to #EndSars,an Arm of Police,as well as the need for the Nigeria Police Force to End Brutality and inhumane treatment melted on citizens.
The youths let out their voice in a peaceful protest which along the line the was hijacked by hoodlums, causing havoc, uprising in the different states of the Federation.
To this, Non-Partisan Stakeholders meeting was organized by the Abia State Government, under the leadership of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu,to know the grievances of the youth, as well as sought out ways to empower them and end the wanton destruction of both private and public businesses/ properties.
The Meeting which was held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia,had in attendance,the Executive Governor of Abia State,Okezie Victor Ikpeazu,Ph.D, his Deputy,Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu,the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives and Member representing Bende Federal Constituency,Hon Benjamin Kalu,the Honourable Minister for State,Mines and Steel Development,Dr.Uche Ogah,the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon.Chinedum Orji,the Secretary to Abia State Government,Barr.Chris Ezem, Members of the State House of Assembly, Chief of Staff to the Governor,Dr ACB Agbazuere,State Chairmen of Political Parties in Abia led by the State Chairman of PDP,Rt.Hon Alwell Asiforo Okere,Clergymen led by His Grace,Archbishop Raphael Opoko and Bishop Chikezie Elekwa,Members of the Organized Labour,NANS, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers led by HRM Eze Nwabeke,the Chairman of NURTW, Comrade Eugene Eze Job among others.
Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Aba, Okeke Chigozie, revealed that traders of the market,joined in the protest due to the condition of the Ariaria market, as almost all the infrastructures in the market have gone moribund.He stated that even though the government has set the ball rolling in face-lifting the market and bringing it to international standard, added that the government need to use their political will power to bring the vision of the market to reality.
The Ariaria market chairman, further called on the youth to calm down and allow the government act on their demands.
The Team Leader of Abia Civil Society Organization, Comr. Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, enjoined the government to look critically into the demands of the youth, especially on youth empowerment and capacity building.
Comr Nwafor stated that youths should be given the opportunity to occupy political positions,so as to bring to bare the slogan that says ‘Youths are the Leaders of Tomorrow’.
He pointed out that the recent uprising in the nation,is a strong pointer that our leaders should look into incooperating the youth in governance, as well as empowering them meaningfully.
The Chairman of Ikwuano Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Eugene Ndimele, further stated that the EndSars protest was all encompassing, as the Protest went beyond EndSars to the issue of insecurity,hunger, unemployment among others, adding that the government should ensure they address urgently the cries of the masses,as failure to do the needful, would lead to another phase of restiveness.
The Monarch argued that once these issues are addressed, the youths would be fine.
Other Stakeholders who made their contributions at the Town Hall meeting, the Minister of State,Mines and Steel Development,Hon Uche Ogah,Deputy Chief of Staff,office of the Deputy Governor,Chief Don Ubani, The Chief Imam of Umuahia Central Mosque, all urged the youths to stop the protest and destruction of public/private properties, stating that most of the goods and properties being destroyed belong to the Igbo, adding that no Igbo youth should join in destroying the investment of their fellow brothers.
They added that Government has heard their cry and are working assiduously to meet with their demands.
Dr Uche Ogah further pleaded for the youth to forgive any wrong done by any political leader, praying for a better Nigeria to emerge after the protest.
