Taraba Youths declare withdrawal from nationwide protest
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
Youths in Taraba State have unanimously assured the state’s stakeholders of their resolve to withdraw their intention to partake in the nationwide planned protest scheduled to be staged on the 1st August, 2024
Leaders of different youth groups who took turns to express their positions in Jalingo, during a special program organized by the former Acting Governor tagged, “No to Protest, Yes to Progress”, declared that they would not in any way, partake in the nationwide planned protest.
Speaking on behalf of National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN, Taraba State chapter, the Secretary of the group, Barrister Gusto Kwanchi stressed that Nigeria youths as well as other citizens are passing through difficult times but it was not in their character to go against their elders and so they would shealth their swords and find other better ways of communicating their grievances to the government at all levels
The Barrister lauded the giant developmental strides of the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, especially the free education policy and the reduction by half, school fees of students in tertiary institutions in the state, but appealed that the government should initiate more youths empowerment programs that would alleviate the hardhips that people are passing through
Speaking for a group known as APC Youth Vanguard, Dr Jinadu G. Yawe stated that they did not have any reasons to join the protest. He noted that the Local Government Autonomy given to them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration alone, was enough reason that convinced Nigerians that the government was on the right track to addressing the challenges of the country
On his part, a former National Deputy President and former chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Taraba State, Hon. Emmanuel George, reiterated that the youths in the state would not join the protest because they had seen serious commitment from the Federal and State Governments towards addressing the challenges of youths
He identified the Local Government Autonomy provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinibu led administration and the free education policy of Governor Agbu Kefas in Taraba State among others, as outstanding policies that have direct impact on the youths and are capable of salvaging their plights
In their seperate speeches, the representative of National Union of Taraba State Students NUTASS, the representative of Students Union Government of the Taraba State University Jalingo, the representative of Jalingo Football Association and the representative of women in Taraba State all reaffirmed their resolved to withdraw from the protest and appealed with the government to continue initiating good policies that would better the lives of common men in the country
The Galadima Muri, HRH, Alh. Tukur Abba Tukur at the occasion, stressed the consequences of embarking on the planned protest and urged the youth to believe in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu and the moving forward mantra of Governor Kefas and give the governments full support, adding that both governments have acknowledged the plights of the people and are working assiduously to address them
The traditional ruler lauded the convener of the program, Alh. Sani Abubakar Danladi for bringing together such number of youths across different religion and polical affiliations to sensitize them on the crucial issue of national concern, describing the former Acting Governor as a peace ambassador of the state
Earlier, Alh. Sani Abubakar Danladi, had asked the youths in the state to desist from the planned protest, insisting that the organizers of the protest did not mean well for the development of the country
Sani Abubakar who was also former Senator, Taraba North, called on the people of the State to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the president as a leader who has listening ears and was working hard to fix the challenges of the country.
Alh Sani further commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his all inclusive governance and assured the gathering that their plights were duely acknowledged by the president and all their requests would also be communicated to him for appropriate actions.
