Various Youths and Women Groups on Wednesday gathered in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to call for restraints over the proposed nationwide protests, declaring their intention to boycott such protests in the State.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor in a press release on Wednesday reports that the groups, in their separate meetings, also declared their support for the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, promising to mobilise for him ahead of the coming governorship election in the State.
The first gathering was that of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) which held a public engagement session at the International Culture and Events Centre, in Akure, while the representatives of various women groups held their meeting at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office.
Addressing the groups, Governor Aiyedatiwa again appealed for peaceful dialogue between the government and other stakeholders to prevent anarchy and the planned nationwide protests.
The Governor highlighted the critical role of youth and women in shaping the nation’s future and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment.
To the youths, he said: “It is an honour to be with you all today at this forum of the National Youth Council of Nigeria. Your passion, creativity, and dedication to creating a better future are truly inspiring.
“It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. The peace and unity of our nation is a minimum irreducible requirement for accelerated national development.
“Our administration in Ondo State is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. We are unrelenting in our commitment to the welfare and security of our people,” the Governor said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also outlined the state’s youth-centric initiatives, including significant appointments of young individuals to government positions and continuous employment opportunities in the public sector.
Earlier, in his address, the Commissioner for Youths and Sport Development, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, urged the youth to abstain from participating in the upcoming protest and to embrace peace.
The chairman of the occasion and former National President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Dr. Yakub Shendab, in his remarks, stated that it is the duty of the youth to unite and protect the state from destruction, particularly concerning the issue of protests.
In their goodwill messages, Abdusalam Quadri, Chairman of the State Chairmen’s Forum, NYCN; Ambassador Sokubo Sara-Igbe Sokubo, National President of the NYCN, and Hon. Babatunde Omomewo, the youngest ward leader of the APC in the state, expressed their solidarity with the governor due to his commendable leadership style.
The group also decorated the Governor as the Grand Patron of the association and presented him with a ‘Doyen of Youth’ award, appreciating him for including youth in his administration.
Meanwhile, the representatives of the women groups, who unanimously opposed the proposed nationwide protests, also declared their support for the Aiyedatiwa administration.
The women, who are primarily artisans and traders from the 18 local government areas of the state, expressed their confidence in the ability of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn around the economy of the country.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the difficult times Nigerians are facing but called for cooperation between the government and the people to combat hunger and poverty.
He outlined several measures the government has implemented to combat hunger and poverty, including improved security measures to protect farmers, rehabilitation of rural roads, provision of farm inputs, sales of subsidized food items, and the employment of teachers and health workers.
In her remarks, Mrs. Bola Aina, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization, commended the women for their solidarity and urged them to monitor and caution their wards against participating in protests that could lead to crises.
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