Urgent Call for Restraint: A Royal Appeal to Nigerian Youths Amid Nationwide Hunger Protest
IDJERHE/Nigeria: In a heartfelt plea, His Majesty King Obukowho Monday Whiskey, Ph.D., the Ovie of the Idjerhe Kingdom, has urged Nigerian youths to reconsider the planned nationwide hunger protest.
Addressing the nation in a letter made available to NDOKWA REPORTERS, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, the King expressed deep concern over the potential for further national disorder and economic turmoil.
“I am deeply worried that a mass protest at this critical time will not do our dear nation any good. Rather, it can lead to further national disorder,” King Whiskey stated. He emphasized that while the hunger and insecurity plaguing the nation are undeniable, constructive solutions should be sought. “The hunger in the land and growing insecurity across regions should bother us all, and constructively looking inward will be a better option than resorting to wild protests.”
Acknowledging the constitutional right to protest, the king, a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience, highlighted the dangers posed by another nationwide protest. “The signals out there clearly indicate that another nationwide protest will plunge this nation into more economic mess and insecurity,” he warned.
Appealing to Nigerian youths, the king urged them to prioritize national unity and peace. “As your father, I earnestly appeal to you all to shelve the planned protest in the interest of our nation,” he said. He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the concerns raised by the youths and to bridge the gap between the ruling class and ordinary Nigerians.
“We cannot afford another #ENDSARS unrest now, considering the current state of our nation. Our collective decision to work for sustainable peace by addressing growing insecurities should be our top national discourse,” King Whiskey emphasized. He stressed that mass protests could exacerbate divisions within the country and urged the government to implement strategies to tackle the critical issue of hunger.
“Anything that will further divide the country should be discouraged by the government, which should work out modalities to address the critical hunger in our land. Mass protests cannot and should not be provoked as an option to address the needs of the masses,” King Whiskey declared. He advocated for peace and dialogue as the most effective means to achieve lasting solutions.
“As a royal father who has been at the forefront of advocating for the creation of jobs, the establishment of companies, revamping the agricultural sector, and the building of a prosperous nation, amongst others, for our Nigerian youths, I know your demands are germane and are a true reflection of the current economic reality in the country,” King Whiskey acknowledged.
In his closing remarks, he made a passionate appeal to all Nigerian youths, particularly those in the Niger Delta, to engage in dialogue with the Federal Government. “I wish to appeal to all Nigerian youths, particularly Niger Delta youths, to dialogue with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu on the basis of national interest.”
