By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a recent development, a group known as ‘Northern Youths for Peace and Good Governance’ (NYIPGG) has expressed their dissent towards the national agitation for protests. Instead, they are urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the removal of fuel subsidy, which has led to an economic downturn in the country.
During a Youth Dialogue town hall meeting titled “Empowering Northern Youths: Dialogue for Peace, Progress, and Prosperity” held at Arewa House in Kaduna, Abdulrahaman Bala, a keynote speaker, emphasized that reversing the fuel subsidy removal would help quell the agitation for a national protest, given the ongoing economic hardship.
Bala pointed out that the Federal Government’s palliative measures have not been realistic or effective in alleviating the economic challenges faced by the citizens. However, he made it clear that they do not support the protest at this time, citing concerns about the timing and the potential for the protest to be exploited by unruly elements, resulting in harm to innocent citizens.
“We call on our president to immediately implement policies such as massive employment opportunities and support for small-scale businesses, which will contribute to the improvement of our economy,” he added.
The national president of the forum, Comrd. Umar Lawal, appealed to the Northern youth to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu some time to work on the policies he has already initiated, aimed at alleviating their suffering. He cautioned against staging a protest, considering the current state of the country, and warned of the potential for opportunistic individuals to exploit the situation for their own destructive agendas.
“The organizers of the protest are faceless Nigerians, and the youth must be cautious not to become unwitting tools in the hands of those who do not have the best interests of Nigerians at heart,” he emphasized.
Speaking on the topic of Business Growth and Entrepreneurship in the North, Comrd. Suleiman Yusuf urged the youth of Northern Nigeria to shift their focus from protests and instead explore ways to build themselves and contribute positively to the country. He encouraged the youth to prioritize education and seek out opportunities for personal and professional development.
Yusuf also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology, particularly mobile phones, as a means of generating income. He emphasized that the world has become a global village, offering numerous opportunities for youth advancement.
The Chairman of the organizing committee, Comrd. Zakari Hashim, explained that the Youth town hall dialogue meeting aimed to address pressing challenges such as insecurity, agriculture, opportunities, business growth, and poverty alleviation. He expressed satisfaction with the recommendations generated during the meeting, believing that they will have a significant impact on the development and future of the region.
