By Comrade Agbabiaka ‘Kunle Ahmed- Lagos
It was Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish who said in a remarkable American drama series titled Game of Thrones that “Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them”. Nigeria’s polity experienced tremendous overheating in the last 35 days through subconscious and conscious efforts of diverse interests to instigate a nationwide protest or even mass revolt against the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The preparations and strategies to attain the nationwide protest which eventually commenced on 1st of August 2024 were so sophisticated and consciously orchestrated by some persons who are obsessed with their own selfish agenda but mischievous enough to take advantage of people’s sensitivities.
These “obsessed” groups spanning across North and South of Nigeria are still yet to fathom the reality of seeing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s president and petty enough to drag Nigeria further into pit of chaos. Interestingly, these sinister motives and plans orchestrated prior to the nationwide August protest were aimed at disrupting and derailing the strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy. The sinister motives were to tactically fuel the instability of Nigeria’s critical trade and industrial sectors to de-market the federal government of Nigeria, paint a picture of political instability and scare away foreign investors.
As a Yoruba adage goes “an elder cannot be present in a market and the head of an infant inconveniently bent”. The mischievous antics of these “obsessed groups” to frustrate Nigeria’s economy through manipulation of nationwide protest prompted the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite to play the “elderly” role by strategically intervening to protect and insulate Nigeria’s trade and industrial sectors from chaotic disruptions that might have cost the nation more than N5trillion losses.
Regardless of the calm mien of Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite and her indifference to the over-blowing of trumpet, it will be unfair to history not to document or mention the selfless and timely roles she played before and during the nationwide August protest, especially in protecting the trade, industries and business governance ecosystem of Nigeria. The Honourable Minister, foreseeing the monumental catastrophe the nationwide protest can drag Nigeria’s economy into, strategically masterminded timely dialogues and engagements with several organisations, pressure groups, civil society organisations, media practitioners, student organisations, entertainment industry stakeholders and groups who could play crucial roles in grassroots mobilizations and opinion moulding.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite’s interventions were multifaceted and far-reaching. In addition to engaging with student organizations and civil society groups, she extended her outreach to numerous South-East groups, recognizing the importance of addressing regional concerns. Her efforts in the South East were crucial in abating potential protests in those states, demonstrating her understanding of Nigeria’s diverse political landscape.
The Minister’s approach was not limited to dialogue alone. Recognizing the immediate needs of citizens, she oversaw the distribution of palliatives to local government communities. This tangible support helped alleviate some of the economic pressures faced by vulnerable populations, further reducing the impetus for protest.
Understanding the power of media in shaping public opinion, Dr. Uzoka-Anite commissioned a series of documentaries, vox pops, and jingles. These media productions were strategically designed to promote peaceful dialogue over violent protest, reaching a wide audience through various channels. This media campaign played a significant role in shifting public sentiment and encouraging constructive engagement with the government.
For example, the Honourable Minister organised timely engagement sessions with several strata of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), from the national to zonal leadership, encouraging them to choose the path of intellectual dialogue and exposing them to the intentional efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in rescuing the economy to favour young population. She also extended her engagement to reputable civil society organizations, social crusaders and progressive stakeholders who were yearning for explanations about what the government have been up to in ameliorating the hardships that came with the painful but necessary policies of the federal government.
Most of them were convinced and persuaded by the verifiable facts and data presented by the Honorable Minister, that continuous strategic engagements of that nature should be sustained. She, alongside her team, elucidated on need for the Youths to take advantage of the opportunities in some laudable policies such as the National Youths Talent Export Program (NATEP), Skill up Artisans (SUPA) and Presidential conditional cash transfer Grant and loans scheme, all of which she superintends. Others include the Nigerian Youths Investment Fund (NYIF) , MSME investment funds, Manufacturing sector funds showcase the fact that the government had emplaced to empower the Youths, regardless of status, connections or political affiliation.
As a result, most of the organizations, including NANS, Youth groups, Former student leaders and reputable CSOs, not only announced their withdrawal from the planned protest, they also encouraged others to do the same and give the Federal government some time for the various people-friendly policies to mature. Dr. UZOKA-ANITE was consistent in her remarks about the fact that, if we engage in any form of protest, the poorest of the poor, including the petty traders, artisans, factory workers and those whose livelihood depends on their daily buying and selling, would be the first economic casualties. Their businesses would come to a sudden halt without any alternatives, thereby doubling their hardship. This would have defeated the aim with which the protest was initially conceived.
The Honourable Minister also facilitated several dialogue sessions with media practitioners, social media influencers and opinion leaders across North and South of Nigeria regarding the need for the nationwide protest to be aborted and why the economy must not be further frustrated, to avoid monumental job losses.
The Nationwide August protest is undeniably a pointer to many social-economic realities in the country and the people retain the right to express their views lawfully, peacefully and most importantly in an organized manner, such that it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others. Despite the manipulative tendencies of the obscured persons who had intended to ride on the economic hardship brought about the difficult but necessary economic policy adjustments by the Federal government to safe the country from total collapse, as a result of the decades of mismanagement and systemic corruption, the protests have been limited to minimal negative impacts and consequences. Economic activities have picked up and normalcy has largely returned.
The shortened lifespan of the protest can be mainly attributed to the last-minute withdrawal of various viable national mobilization structures including NANS, reputable Civil society organizations, social media influencers, Youths groups and ethnic nationalities, principally because they were persuaded by the highly cerebral and administratively savvy Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris UZOKA-ANITE, who deployed her motherly instinct and Native intelligence in ensuring that they redirect their energies to more productive ventures by participating in the various government empowerment programs and attain economic stability, while giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government some more time to deliver on his RENEWED HOPE AGENDA.
This comprehensive approach by Dr. Uzoka-Anite serves as a model for effective crisis management in a diverse and complex nation like Nigeria. By addressing regional concerns, providing immediate relief, and fostering long-term dialogue, she has contributed significantly to maintaining economic stability during a challenging period of necessary but difficult reforms.
Agbabiaka ‘Kunle Ahmed writes from Ikeja-Lagos
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