The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Cross River has appealed to youth in the state to refrain from participating in the 10 #DaysOfRage of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest planned to commence on 1st of August nationwide. The NYCN Cross River chapter made this appeal on Monday in the state capital through her state Chair, Comr. Emmanuel Olayi, during a Cross River Youth Town Hall Meeting themed Dialogue over Protest 2024 which held at the Youth House NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
In the place of the planned peaceful protest, Comr Olayi who called for dialogue and other forms of engagement offered 6 alternatives to the state government including, reactivation of scholarships board and implementation, Bursaries, Agricultural and Entrepreneurship Aid, Job opportunities, Health insurance scheme and infrastructural development. Below is the full script of the speech he presented to a cross section of youth in the state capital.
𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮, 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: July 28, 2024
𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁: Appeal to Cross River State Youths: Refrain from Participating in Planned Nationwide Protest
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲,
I address you today as the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, with a deep sense of responsibility and concern. In light of the prevailing challenges in our nation, there is a planned nationwide protest against bad governance. While the frustrations and grievances that fuel such actions are understood, I appeal to all youths in Cross River State to refrain from participating in this protest.
The recent history of protests, particularly the #𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗦 movement, provides a stark reminder of how well-intentioned actions can be hijacked by elements with malicious intent, leading to violence, destruction, and loss of lives and properties. We cannot afford a repeat of such tragic events.
While acknowledging the severe economic difficulties and the pressures faced by our people, I believe that protest, in this instance, may not be the most effective means of advocating for change. Instead, I call for a more constructive approach through dialogue and engagement.
I assure you that my team and I are committed to addressing your concerns. We are actively engaging with youths across the state to gather first-hand information about your challenges and aspirations. This grassroots approach ensures that we have a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand.
We are advocating for the following measures to alleviate the hardships faced by our youths:
1. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The leadership of the youths thank the government for reactivating the Scholarships programme and we also urge His Excellency to ensure that the scholarships are readily available and accessible to the youths of Cross River State to promote education and skill development.
2. 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Providing financial support to Cross River students and youths to ease their academic burdens and encourage higher education.
3. 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗶𝗱: Offering funding and resources to support youth involvement in agriculture and entrepreneurship, fostering self-reliance and economic growth.
4. 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Creating employment opportunities for young people by advertising and recruiting into the State Civil Service.
5. 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲: Expanding the Cross River Health Insurance Scheme to cover young Cross Riverians, including artisans and unemployed youths, ensuring access to essential healthcare services.
6. 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: We commend the current administration for their strides in Infrastructural development and we urge them to Continue and even expand in key critical infrastructural projects to cover more rural areas, thereby improving living standards and economic opportunities for all.
Additionally, we call on the authorities at the local government level to engage with youths in their respective LGAs. Addressing the issues affecting youths at the grassroots level is crucial for fostering a peaceful and harmonious society. By working together, we can build a better Cross River State for everyone.
Above all, 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗧. As a council and as leaders, we must do everything within our power to sustain peace. It is through dialogue, not protest, that we can achieve meaningful progress.
Rest assured, we will relay your concerns directly to the appropriate authorities with the urgency they deserve. Our goal is to ensure that your voices are heard and that concrete actions are taken to alleviate the hardships we all experience.
In conclusion, I appeal to your sense of responsibility and patriotism. Let us choose dialogue over protest, and constructive engagement over confrontation. Together, we can work towards a better Cross River State and a more prosperous Nigeria.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Yours in Service,
𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗿. Olayi Emmanuel
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮
𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿
