In anticipation of the nationwide protest against hardship and bad governance scheduled for August 1st, 2024, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, the former deputy governor of Niger State, has issued a heartfelt appeal to Nigerian youths. Recognizing the significance of expressing grievances and seeking positive change, Alhaji Ketso emphasizes that there exist more effective avenues for addressing these issues without resorting to street protests.
In the statement, he reiterate the need to draw from recent history, Alhaji Ketso highlights the risk of certain unpatriotic elements hijacking the protest process and destabilizing the country.
He added that, “The #EndSARS protest serves as a stark reminder of how genuine concerns can be exploited to cause chaos, theft, and property destruction. To prevent a recurrence of such events, he urges caution.
Learning from the protest in some African countries. Alh. Ketso urged the youths to take lessons from the aftermath of the protests in Libya, Sudan, and most recently, in Kenya amongst others, where there was destruction of properties worth billions, and Nigeria cannot afford such a path as President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR is pursuing its Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alhaji Ketso underscores the need to learn from the experience of protests in other parts of the world and seek alternative means of expressing grievances that do not endanger lives or damage public infrastructure.
Alhaji Ketso firmly believes that Nigerian youths should not allow themselves to be used as pawns by politicians. Instead, he encourages them to focus on positive change and actively support government efforts to improve the economy.
” Rather than participating in protests that may escalate tensions”, Alhaji Ketso advises Nigerian youths to explore diplomatic means of addressing their grievances. He added that “engaging in dialogue with relevant authorities, civil society organizations, and community leaders can yield better results than street demonstrations.”
Alhaji Ketso then advocates channeling energy into constructive engagement by supporting government initiatives and contributing positively to local communities, Nigerian youths can collectively create a better future.
He urges the youths to prioritize the well-being of the nation over the selfish interests of a few. Stating that” When the energies of the youth are channeled constructively, their collective voice can be a powerful force for positive change.
As a fellow comrade, Alhaji Ketso appeals to Nigerian youths not to participate in protests organized for selfish reasons. Rejecting violence, destruction, and political manipulation, he calls for unity in building a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.
