Following their meeting with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Wednesday, young Nigerian skit comedians have taken to social media to express their views about the meeting with the VP whom some of them have described as a man of the youths.
The delegation included Maryam Apaokagi, popularly known as Taooma; Josh Alfred (Josh2funny); Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba); Adebamiro Adeyanju (Mr. Hyenana), Adeoye Adeyemi Elesho (Yemi Elesho), and others.
On his verified Instagram handle, Josh2funny thanked the Vice President for giving the youths listening ears.
“So we had the chance to meet with the Vice President of Nigeria and we tabled the matter, it felt so good to speak about our societal challenges directly to the ears of those that needs to hear them.I really commend @taaooma especially for explicitly calling out the main pricking issues to a point where she was almost tearing up,” he wrote, while also acknowledging contributions from his fellow skit comedians.
Thanks to the VP for giving us listening ears. I really hope this visit will bring about the changes that we’ve been praying for,” he added.
It would be recalled that during the EndSARs protests in October, the VP was instrumental in the disbandment on the controversial special anti-robbery squad, SARS, while through the directive of the Osinbajo-led National Economic Council, NEC, state judicial panels were established nationwide to address complaints of police brutality, extrajudicial killings and provide justice and compensation for victims.
NEC directed that the state’s Judicial Panel of Inquiry, have youth and student representatives, among others; while the Special Security and Human Rights Committee will also include representatives of Youths and Civil Society.
Yesterday’s meeting with the influential young skit comedians with millions of followers on social media is another pointer that the federal government is continuing constructive and useful engagement with frontline youths, with the Vice President at the heart of it.
At the meeting, the VP noted that the Federal Government is already making efforts to address these issues, including resolving the Twitter ban, ensuring that young Nigerians and all Nigerians are protected and their rights respected by law enforcement officers.
He also commended the creativity of the Nigerian youths. He said, “I strongly believe that what our young people are doing and what they are capable of, is what will lead our country to where we are meant to be. The future is not tomorrow, it is already here and we can see it from just everything you are doing.”
Writing on her verified Instagram handle on Thursday, Taooma stated that “Yesterday, I had the chance of meeting with the VP of the federation at the Presidential villa, Abuja. I urged for the “actual” lifting of the Twitter ban and as well, stressed on the issue of police brutality which hasn’t gotten any bit of change even after all the promises. I made the presidency understand how important Twitter is for the majority of us (the youths). The SMEs and the very plenty others who make a living via that platform.
“The Twitter ban has made so many small scale business crash and disrupted many. I also made it known to the VP that Police brutality hasn’t stopped and we the youths seem to be the target of that institution. #Endsars was not just to end SARS alone, it was to end all forms of police brutality and irresponsibility. I hope the assurances I got yesterday will take effect immediately.”
Also on his Instagram post, Mr Hyenana said he expressed his mind to the Vice President “on Behalf of the youths, Where I laid emphasis on the Importance of Good and Quality Education at the grass root level (The Future of Nigeria Depends on what we Do in the Present) so Myself and my fellow content creators have stamped our feet and lend our voice to the development of the nation.
“As you all know that the Hyenana Brand Content has been about Indirectly Pin Pointing the problems & Issues we face in the Society!! The good intentions of my colleagues & I will never be put To Shame!! Thanks to @naijaskitawards For Granting me the Platform to Speak my Mind UNFILTERED.”
Similarly, writing on his verified Instagram handle, Woli Agba, quipped, “Spot your Prophet. Oil of Gladness at the Presidential Villa (love emojis) @profosinbajo @daramolabimbo #NSIA #Consistency #Humility #Oilofgladness #progressisprophetic #iamdwoliagba”
At the meeting, while speaking on behalf of the skit comedians, Taooma, Woli Agba and others commended the VP for his support of the development of young Nigerians, further commending his youth-centric connection.
Also, one of the skit comedians, Yemi Elesho, told the VP, “You are a man of the youths. I heard your speech on Monday asking the youths to move on, this is our movement.”
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