By Hon Ofoni D WILLIAMS Ambassador for PEACE.
There is no gain saying times are hard and difficult , anything short is gaslighting.
The prevailing economy situation speaks volumes and the need for thoughtfulness, wisdom, are what is required in response from all fronts.
Be it government and citizens must avoid anger of flame, that shall result to ashes.( unnecessary emotional political colouration and statements are not solutions that are needed to urgently address our challenges which are aged)
The Sudanese bread and Kenya taxes protests outcome are testimonies of the immediate past anger of flame and ashes , with far reaching implications and effects.
The above in no doubt shall make our acknowledged battered economy recovery process difficult for our nation. if we failed to employ reasonable reasonings on the developments and situational challenges we are faced with.
Interestingly, we have identified, acknowledged, defined missing links that need urgent attention, which implies that problems are partly solved.
This itself is loud enough for government to understand the feelings and times the citizens are passing through.
Therefore, what should interest us as a people is to let go the protest slated for August 1st, 2024 and give government at all levels time to do the needful.
The above suggestions do not fail to recognise that protest is a democratic language and right of citizenry.
But predictable, certain conducts associated with protest, do not elicit or sees protest as means of participatory democracy( violence protest)
It's on this strength that we are all prayed. We should try to advocate, proffer and streamline solutions to the issues identified already.
This is the right way to go and employ wisdom which is always profitable in no small measure.
At this juncture, its important to note that in addressing the issues with profounded solutions. Government must built trust, transparency and centre her solutions on the premises that development is for mankind and not mankind for development.
More particularly the issues of security that is impacting food production( One is forced to advocate that an act of parliament be brought to bear compiling all state governments to have minimum of one thousand hecter of farmland per Assembly constituency. This will equally address unemployment to some degree. Same shall stem food insecurity.), life and property, peace and unity of Nigeria.
In the same vein arrest steady decline or devaluation of our currency and the cost of energy in Nigeria.
Upon the above not letting go total restructuring of the country. In manner to elicit individual, state entities potentials unhindered.
Thus, ranging from issues of Resources ownership, number of local government per state,(as the issue of local government goes beyond financial autonomy)Vat, etc. In no distance future be addressed.
In all of these, the federal government is deeply touched and there are bold signage in reach out to citizenry in every strata with the view to give government some time.
On this strength, my brain and heart is not hesitant to endorse all efforts, view expressed from sound minds and brains, to call off the pending August 1st, 20204. protest.
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