We would rather dialogue than join protest

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The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has stated that it would rather embrace dialogue with the government than join the proposed nationwide protest.

The student leaders stated this on Saturday in a communiqué issued during the 84th National Senate sitting of the group held at the Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan.

In the communiqué, which was signed by NANS Senate President Babatunde Afeez, it was stated that the planned protest, which lacks leadership and specific demands, poses a risk to the country.

Akinteye advised all Nigerian students to be weary of engaging in violent protests to prevent dreadful repercussions and focus on protecting Nigeria’s country.

The student leaders also urged the federal government to allow Dangote Refinery to operate at full capacity in a bid to revive the economy of the country.

The group noted that, though it is aware of the current economic hardship in the country, there is a need to give recognition to some of the imprints of the current administration.

“The proliferation of radical ideologies around citizen’s responses to the state of the nation and economy, such as in the case of the current “days of rage” protests, is deeply concerning due to their potential to escalate into violence, disrupting national peace and stability, endangering lives, and leading to the wanton destruction of properties and livelihoods.

“These protests, lacking clear leadership and specific demands, pose a significant risk to the nation if citizens fail to embrace caution in handling social issues. More broadly, we must recognise that such actions could create devastating effects on our economy and the very social fabric of our identity as Nigerians.

“In light of these recent developments, we are compelled to address the ongoing calls for protests that threaten to plunge our nation into chaos.

“While the right to protest is enshrined in our constitution and is a vital aspect of democratic expression, we must also consider the potential consequences of unchecked and faceless demonstrations.

“Reflecting on the past, the October 20 2020 incident, which was a product of the EndSARS protest, brought devastating consequences on our nation, some of the outcomes of which we have not recovered.

“As the largest and most influential student and youth organisation in Nigeria and Africa, we have conducted extensive consultations and have come to the critical decision that we will not support or participate in any protest that could lead to anarchy, particularly the planned “Days of Rage” protest.

“Therefore, we encourage all Nigerian students to be weary of engaging in violent protests to prevent some of the dreadful repercussions that could accompany such acts, as we have recently witnessed in Kenya.

“This resolution comes after robust deliberations based on the feedback from our wide consultations.

“We believe that while the right to protest is fundamental, the potential consequences of unchecked and faceless demonstrations could be devastating, leading to violence, economic disruption, and social instability.

“While we are not oblivious to the current economic hardship in the country, it is crucial to highlight some of the efforts and achievements of the current government of President Bola Tinubu in ameliorating the living conditions of Nigerians.

“While emphasising these achievements is not an attempt to be partisan or take sides with the current administration, we would like to clarify that the current economic challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria but a global phenomenon.

“The current economic situation of our beloved country should not blur our recognition of some of the indelible imprints of the current administration, evident in the activities of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, among others. The achievements and efforts of these institutions seek to turn the tides of our nation and position it on the right path to prosperity.

“We commend the Federal Government for coming up with initiatives such as the student loan scheme and the integration of youths into governance.

“These reforms are positive steps towards alleviating hardship and creating opportunities for young Nigerians. Notwithstanding, we call on the governments at the federal, state, and local levels to intensify their efforts to mitigate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

“It is crucial to implement more robust measures to ensure that the positive initiatives and achievements of leadership are not overshadowed by the prevailing economic difficulties.

Consequently, we urgently appeal to the Federal Government to address any impasse caused by the pressing issue of the Dangote refinery.

“Among many other businesses in Nigeria, the Dangote Group has done amazingly well in stirring the economic fortunes of our dear country, mainly by providing employment for most young people, supporting the construction of critical infrastructure through corporate social responsibility, and other contributions that he is making to governance in Nigeria.

“In the same vein, resolving the impasse with the company and ensuring that the Dangote Refinery operates at full capacity will bring immense benefits to our economy, some of which include reducing fuel costs, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and contributing to our country’s GDP.

“Resolving this operational conflict with the refinery will significantly alleviate the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians, providing much-needed relief to the common man. Finally, we urge all Nigerian students and youths to join us in rejecting any call for anarchy.

“Let us focus on protecting our nation and supporting the government’s efforts to create a better Nigeria and transform our fortunes.

“Together, we can overcome these challenges and build a nation that provides opportunities for all its citizens.

“As Nigerian students and youths, we have crucial roles to play in maintaining national peace and driving progress; thus, we must channel our energy into constructive dialogue, innovative solutions, and active participation in nation-building and social development processes.”

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