By Adadareporters
Nigerian youths should not engage in the planned hunger protests to avoid possible breakdown of law and order.
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, gave the advice during a one-day seminar on leadership and conflict resolution organized for traditional rulers and presidents general in the state on Tuesday. The event held at the House of Chiefs, Enugu State House of Assembly Complex, Enugu, and was organized by the state Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The CP said the South-East zone has been victims of such violence, losing a lot in the process. He called on the traditional rulers and town union presidents general to sensitise youths of their respective communities on the dangers of the protests.
He said, “Enugu State is a home of great minds, great people, and highly innovative. We don’t need any destruction of lives and property. Allowing the protests may lead to unwanted violence; but the state needs peace.”
According to him, people have the right to protest “but the right to protest should not lead to violence, and it is totally not acceptable in the land because the event of yesterday is a journey of tomorrow. History makes us understand the result of the future.”
In his remarks, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, explained that in line with the ministry’s mandates, a leadership and conflict resolution seminar was organized for community leaders to ensure peace, security and development of their areas.
Hon. Ogbodo commended the police commissioner’s commitment in maintaining security, especially at the grass roots. He assured that with the refreshing lectures they had from the resource persons during the seminar, the community stakeholders would do justice to maintain peace in their areas.
The Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers’ Council, and Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, HRM Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, said the people of Enugu State “don’t want violence”.
He called on the traditional rulers to implement the advice given by the CP to avert violence and other crises in the country, especially in South-East states.
He thanked the Commissioner of Police for finding time to interface with the traditional rulers on their security duties, adding that the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, “is keen on peace and development of Enugu State”.
The State Coordinator of President Generals Council, Hon. Arinze Ogbodo, assured of the total support of the traditional rulers and other community stakeholders towards ensuring peace in the state.
He promised their readiness to engage their people, especially the youths to desist from destructive acts and support Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in maintaining peace across all communities in Enugu State.
Our correspondent reports that the protests, scheduled from August 1 to 10, are to express Nigerians’ anger against some government economic policies.
