NATIONWIDE PROTEST: Ejigbo LCDA Chairman, OBE Admonishes Nigerian Youth, …called for caution 

In light of growing tension on the nationwide protest, the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Lagos State, Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello (OBE), addressed the community stakeholders, including the representatives of residents, business owners, and members of the CDA in Ejigbo on peace and security of the community. He described the importance of civic engagement as the cornerstone of democracy and a vital means of expressing concerns and aspirations.

Hon. Bello emphasized that, as the resident’s voices matter, their grievances are valid, and their right to be heard is undeniable, they are regarded and respected citizens and residents of the community. He implored the community residents to always consider alternative and peaceful means of voicing their concerns. “I urge you to make good use of the established channels and platforms of communication with appropriate authority to foster a spirit of cooperation and progress. Our community’s strength lies in engaging in dialogue and understanding. Let us not allow our frustrations to lead us to escalate the situation which will result in loss of lives and properties ‘, he said.

While massive protests are a powerful form of expression, they also carry the risk of unintended consequences, and our community, which thrives on unity and mutual respect could be disrupted, with the safety and harmony we had worked hard to build threatened, Bello charged.

He commends the stakeholder’s support and cooperation in building a peaceful and prosperous Ejigbo. He said, “Together we can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger, more united, and resilient. Therefore, as a beacon of harmony and mutual respect, let us choose peace, dialogue, and a future to maintain order in these trying times”,

In a brief chat with our correspondent, Hon. Bello, described the champions and agitators of the protest as faceless people, who are not organized nor can they be identified. “Past protests in this country have been managed by people we can identify. This protest is by a faceless organization. Even a foremost activist said he doesn’t know them, and you can’t reckon with someone or organization you don’t know”.

Bello advised Nigerian youth who are rational in their thinking, to rethink partaking in a protest that is not monitored and organized by someone or a group of people without known identity. Genuine, patriotic Nigerians should also rethink before embarking on a course that would turn Nigeria and Nigerians into a chaotic situation. I advise Nigerian youth, that wherever they may come from, they should be conscious of their conduct. “Every youth must be conscious of their affiliations. As long as you are a Nigerian youth, notwithstanding where you belong or come from, you should plan and pray for a better future for this country. Do not allow some people to mislead or misguide you with wrong influence, so you will not grow old, to miss your good package”.

Calling on Nigerians, he said, The Nigeria of today, yesterday, and tomorrow is a Nigeria of all. Therefore, we must work together to ensure a better Nigeria. Nigerians should give Tinubu’s administration more time to implement its policies. Within the one year of his administration, there had been much pressure, demands, and agitations from different quarters, he had just resolved the disagreement with the Labour and Trade Unions over the minimum wage, and now the eruption of mass protests. All these are distractions. 

There’s no time frame for government policies or expectations, the government in power has its four-year constitutional years explicit and clear. Our constitution states that, for any tier of the government, federal, state, or local to be appraised for its performance, it should be by the four-year tenure, and anyone who wants to assess that government should put those four years together and come up with a better result. But as things are now, it is still a work-in-progress contract.

The man has just started working, and it takes a passionate and committed leader of a federal government to stop the Cabals from the government operations, and put the local government tier on the right pedestal, by creating an avenue for local government autonomy. These are not the things that can be easily done without stepping on toes. 

My advice to Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, ethnic background, region, and religion; is to continue praying for the government to succeed and to cooperate with the government in implementing its policies to the best advantage of its citizens.

“What should matter most to us as citizens is, as a sitting government, we must ensure the success of that government by playing our civic roles. If we fail to play our role to ensure the success of this government, and it fails, it will be a failure for all. This is why, as citizens, we should not allow these four years to be wasted, we should be praying that whatever years God has enabled this government to serve the country, it must be productive and successful”.

“We should take into cognizance, and know, as a work in progress with an agenda, we’ll get to the promised land”, the Chairman stated.