A CALL ON THE NIGERIAN YOUTH TO CALM DOWN, BE FOCUSED, AT ALERT AND SHUN ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE/CRIMINALITY

The President National Youth Council of Nigeria .His Youthfulness Comrade Solomon ADODO , appeal to Nigeria youths for calmness on this day 26th October, 2020.

A CALL ON THE NIGERIAN YOUTH TO CALM DOWN, BE FOCUSED, AT ALERT AND SHUN ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE/CRIMINALITY
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has been very consistent in our reasoned recommended direction for the country, especially at this trying period. Sadly, we have witnessed a great dose of bloodshed and wanton destruction in the weeks of the #EndSARS protest. We sincerely commiserate with those who lost their beloved ones. May the Lord grant them eternal rest. We also sympathize with those who lost various valuable properties as a result of the ensuing riots. We are assured by the firm statement by President Muhammadu that the shootings of 20th October at the Lekki Toll gate will be properly investigated and culprits dealt with. For an umpteenth time we sympathize with the casualties and bereaved families.
It has become pertinent at this juncture that we urge the youth of our dear country to calm down, tow the path of focus in building a better Nigeria, maintain alertness against fake news and divisive messages while shunning all forms of violence and criminality. This is a time for sober reflection, focus and deep analysis of issues.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the #EndSARS protest was genuine. The protest was successful to the extent that needed reforms in Policing in Nigeria could no longer be glossed over. The President and Commander-in-Chief responded swiftly and appropriately directed the Inspector General of Police to immediately proscribe the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), acceding to the demands of the protesters and also called for dialogue with a view to implementing all other demands.

It is unfortunate that the protest was hijacked by unpatriotic and rogue elements who hid under the cover of the chaos to commit arson, plunder our commonwealth and even wreck the businesses of hapless citizens.
Sadly, there are anarchists, criminals and hoodlums on the loose under the guise of protesting. We urge Nigerian Youths to forge a common front and fight against these enemies of the country. Secessionist groups, hard-line criminals and disgruntled politicians are now on a pseudo war with the Government and the country. We are only being manipulated with concocted falsehood and twisted stories; fake news and inflammatory statements. We need to be really circumspect and very calm now.
Lives have been lost and tempers are high. But the mindless looting and destruction of private and public properties in the midst of our infrastructure deficit and economic challenges have no cogent justification. There is no relationship between peaceful protest which is lawful and patriotic, and looting, arson, secession and the drumbeat of tribal or religious wars. The Nigerian Youth is reminded that our National Infrastructure is a commonwealth. They should be protected.
As Youth we must shun every and any divisive message laced with religious or ethnocentric undertones that are capable of putting us against one another. We therefore call on all religious leaders, leaders of sociocultural groups and opinion molders to use this period to spread the message of peace, healing and national unity.
May we seize this opportunity to assure all Nigerian youths that the National Youth Council of Nigeria will follow up on Government to ensure that the earlier patriotic demands of the #EndSARS Protesters are met. We have also set up an independent platform to expeditiously address the other challenges faced by the Youth. We therefore reiterate our advice to Nigerian Youth to calm down, remain law abiding and allow Government to do the needful. We must avoid any temptation to join the orchestrated criminality which is sweeping across the country under different names and guises.

No responsible people can allow or support a total unwarranted breakdown of law and order. And the NYCN will not support that. The Government itself will not tolerate that. Life has no spare. Please do not join criminals in their depravity as the full weight of the law will have its wrath visited on all culprits. Our message has been passed loud and clear, and the authorities have also heard clearly. Answers are on the way. But we must give peace a chance, and Government, the opportunity and time to act accordingly. We have no other country aside Nigeria. Let us therefore maintain eternal vigilance as the price of our true liberty in our quest to build a greater nation – Nigeria.
God bless Nigeria!

Solomon Adodo
President