Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has urged Nigerian youths to engage constructively with the government rather than participating in protests sponsored by politicians with ulterior motives.
The governor, speaking at the 22nd undergraduate and 13th postgraduate convocation ceremonies of Babcock University, Ilishan, Ikenne Local Government Area, said past protests have not yielded meaningful results and have instead led to losses in productivity, lives, and property.
He encouraged youths to work with the government to find solutions to Nigeria’s problems.
He said, “I seize this opportunity to appeal to our youths to constructively engage with the government in finding lasting solutions to Nigeria’s problems, rather than engaging in protest that may start peacefully but usually get hijacked and may lead to anarchy.
“What have we ever gained from protests, except losses in productivity? Loss of lives, loss of private and government properties, looting and vandalisation of assets,” he said.
He defended the administration’s decisions, such as removing subsidies and floating the Naira, as necessary to address the economic crisis.
“This government has only been in office for one year. Cutting the head is not the solution to a headache.
“Inflation is worldwide. Our president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had very few choices when he assumed office. He had to take the bull by the horns; he had to remove the subsidy. He had to float the Naira. Otherwise, it would have been worse, trust me,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the current economic challenges, including inflation, but emphasized that these issues are global and not unique to Nigeria.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this administration has initiated a lot of interventions to cushion the effect of the inflation. Recently, we’ve heard the announcement of the minimum wage. We’ve had a lot of empowerment. Student loans are being put in place. Agric and fertilizer inputs are being given to our farmers. They have provided Food items as palliatives and subsidised prices, amongst others.
“This current wave of inflation is biting everywhere. It is in the UK, US, Ghana, and Egypt. So, it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
“Which investor will be attracted to a nation that is under siege by protesters? Please, do not allow yourselves to be used by a so-called leaderless movement, sponsored by frustrated politicians who tried in the past and lost. We do not need protests. We must not gamble with our anarchy. Please Let us dialogue,” he said.
The president of the graduating class speaking urged his fellow graduates to take responsibility for their country’s future. He emphasized the importance of holding elected officials accountable and working together to build a better Nigeria.
He said, ” I want to charge us, The only way we can patch this country again is to be our brother’s keeper. There is no point in you acquiring wealth and stashing them outside the country when your fellow Nigerians are suffering.
“I am very happy that two of our governors are here. This country is always shouting the name of the president when they are in need. Nobody is talking about our governors.
“We must please query our governors, query our chairmen, we must ask questions. We voted for them, they are responsible to us and please don’t stand on the sideline, be a true Nigerian.
“When you elect someone to serve you, that person is not your leader, that person is supposed to be your servant. To make this country great, I plead with us, touch lives.”
