Hunger protest: C-CODED urged to shun violence, embrace peace and dialogue.

Hunger protest: C-CODED urged to shun violence, embrace peace and dialogue.

By Fashina Shakiru

The Executive Director, Centre for Civil Relations, Open Dialogue and Development (C-CODED), Amb. Austin Peacemaker Inaede has urged organisers of the nationwide protest to shun violence, embrace peace and dialogue while exercise their fundamental rights.

Inaede who is also Director, Security Affairs International gave the advice in a press statement released on Saturday tagged “#WhoProtestEpp: Let’s Not Burn Our Nation, Rather Embrace Peace and Dialogue”.

The statement reads as follows:

Fellow Nigerian Youths,

As we stand at the crossroads of our nation’s history, let us remember that the path of protest with potential violence and anarchy is a road to nowhere. It’s a path that leads to destruction, chaos, and devastation. We’ve seen it before – in Libya, a nation that was once a beacon of hope, now lies in ruins.

No doubt Nigeria, our beloved nation, is grappling with a daunting challenge – hunger. Millions of our citizens are struggling to access basic necessities like food, leaving them vulnerable to malnutrition, starvation, despair and the temptation to destroy our one and only country Nigeria.

As we navigate this difficult terrain, it’s essential to acknowledge the resilience and strength of the Nigerian people, the youth especially. Despite the hardships, let’s remain unbroken, our spirits unshaken and let us collectively resist the selfish temptation of our adversaries within and around.

Let us not be deceived by those who seek to exploit our frustrations for their own selfish interests. Let us not be swayed by the rhetoric of adversaries who seek to divide us and turn our country into a battleground.

We are better than this. Let Kenyans learn from us as the big brother of African, that there are more better ways to Nation building than a violent protest. We are a nation of resilient people, a nation of hope and determination. We have faced challenges before and emerged stronger. Let us not give up now.

Let us choose the path of peace, dialogue, and constructive engagement. Let us work together to address our grievances with government and build a better Nigeria for ourselves and future generations.

Remember, our nation is like a house – if we burn it down, we will all be left homeless. Because the roof is leaking is not enough reason to set it on fire or allow it to be flooded. Let us build, let us not destroy. Let us choose wisdom over folly, peace over chaos, and progress over anarchy.

Government should now know that the people are more aware, well informed and determined to see more of better polices that will make this country great as she should be, where all citizens both old and young can live, grow and achieve their dreams.