“This among several reasons has been why there has been clamour for the President to come out to address the protesters in a bid to nip the protests in the bud by addressing most if not all of the demands of the protesters. Alas! The president appeared to be recapping the same achievements of his administration that are alien to the ordinary man on the streets whose only impact of the federal government’s achievements so far has been hardship, inflation and hunger on a daily basis. One would have expected that the President would one, call for a dialogue with the leaders of the various groups protesting, and have their demands deliberated upon with the view to finding actionable solutions towards a lasting resolution to better the lives of millions of Nigerians, Two, launch a crackdown on those who have taken advantage of such a good-willed movement to perpetrate evil, while not sparing some security agents who had conducted themselves unprofessionally during the course of the protest with unbecoming brutality against harmless civilians. “
With the planned nationwide protest in full gear, and likely to enter into a new week, pockets of unbecoming actions have been witnessed that have distanced the protest from being tagged peaceful in some states.
While the president on Sunday addressed the nation and appealed for further protests to be discontinued, some groups have found the president’s address unsatisfactory and insufficient to their demands, and as such, vowed to continue with the demonstrations.
From what has been seen, especially in some states, the police have managed to conduct themselves appropriately and provide the needed security for lives and properties, while in some other states, due to the hijacking of the protest by unscrupulous individuals and the recalcitrance of some individuals to obey restrictions, there have been clashes with civilians and the loss of lives and properties.
There is fear that should the protest continue this week, chances are high that the violence recorded so far will be child’s play to what is likely to crop up with some unscrupulous individuals perhaps biding their time to strike and render violent the demonstration. There is also the fear of the poor and the hungry growing impatient with the suspension of economic activities occasioned by the protest, thereby worsening the hardship being faced in the country, consequently fueling anger among a large number of the populace.
This among several reasons has been why there has been clamour for the President to come out to address the protesters in a bid to nip the protests in the bud by addressing most if not all of the demands of the protesters. Alas! The president appeared to be recapping the same achievements of his administration that are alien to the ordinary man on the streets whose only impact of the federal government’s achievements so far has been hardship, inflation and hunger on a daily basis. One would have expected that the President would one, call for a dialogue with the leaders of the various groups protesting, and have their demands deliberated upon with the view to finding actionable solutions towards a lasting resolution to better the lives of millions of Nigerians, Two, launch a crackdown on those who have taken advantage of such a good-willed movement to perpetrate evil, while not sparing some security agents who had conducted themselves unprofessionally during the course of the protest with unbecoming brutality against harmless civilians.
It can be deduced from the president’s address that while he has expressed a desire for the protests to cease, his approach has not resonated with the masses due to a lack of concrete actions and engagement with the protesters’ core grievances. In this light, the president and his team need to initiate a series of meetings with key leaders of the protest groups to engage in meaningful dialogue. This should involve not only listening to their grievances but also presenting a clear plan of action to address their concerns. Establishing a transparent platform for communication would help in building trust and finding common ground.
This is what Nigerians seek: a government that meets them halfway with relatable, accessible, and pragmatic policies that directly improve living conditions. The people are calling for measures that will alleviate their suffering and provide tangible relief. Without such concrete actions and genuine engagement with their demands, the likelihood of the protests being discontinued remains a distant hope. The government must demonstrate a commitment to addressing the immediate and long-term concerns of the populace to pave the way for peace and resolution.
Acts 20:28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Meanwhile, I am delighted to inform you that come October 1, 2024, we at NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace Leadership will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary.
To this end is our campaign to spread the education of peace leadership to both the old and young, women and children in various places from corporate organizations, to political organizations, worship centers, educational institutions, markets, and communities.
It is our belief that the more educated the people are in respect to peace leadership, the more peaceful our country will become.
So this is a call to action to hop on our Peace campaign train, to arm yourself, your friends, your colleagues, your employees, and your congregation with contemporary peace leadership knowledge that makes for a happier and more fulfilled life, personally and collectively.
Kindly call or send a message on Whatsapp to +2347065828892, to be a beneficiary of this.
Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Leadership, Conflict, Peace, and Security Management Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace, and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.
He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.
Ofonime is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently a Professor of Leadership, Peace, and Conflict Resolution with ICOF University, USA/Zambia and a Professor of Peace Education with Charismatic International University, Cameroon.
With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace
Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2030 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.
For leadership, conflict, peace and security consultations and trainings, reach him via:
Facebook: Dr. O.E Bassey
LinkedIn: Dr. O.E Bassey
X: Dr. O.E Bassey
WhatsApp: +2347065828892
Mail: emmanuelbassey@gmail.com
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