CSO Wants Media Advocacy As Substitute To Protest

A civil society group in Kano has called on Nigerians to avoid the planned nationwide protest, which will destroy lives and property, and to embrace massive media advocacy to bring about change in the country.

Addressing newsmen in Kano over the weekend, Muhammad Basirka, the national president of the Civil Society Coalition on Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution, made the call at a press conference.
However, the group called on the Nigerian government to address the current hardship by reducing food and essential commodities prices, ensuring security and stability, and providing job opportunities and empowerment schemes for young Nigerians.

“Recently, our organisation trained 45 social media influencers and student activists who were carefully selected from the seven states of the North-West Zone on ‘Effective & Strategic Advocacy as Alternative to Protest.’ It is hoped that the training has empowered them with skills to leverage their talents and expertise towards advocacy for positive change and demand for accountability from government at all levels.
“We believe that social media, often used to organise protests, can also influence government policies, decisions, and actions. Our goal is to encourage strategic advocacy as a viable alternative to protests, which can sometimes lead to unrest, instability, and anarchy.
“The recent #EndSARS protest was a case in point. Social media was used to demand the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force, which was heavily accused of human rights abuse. Unfortunately, the protest turned violent after the protesters took to the streets, which led to the forceful dispersal of the protesters.
“We can harness the same power of social media to demand good governance and accountability from our leaders.
“With the confirmation of local government autonomy by the Supreme Court, we encourage citizens to use effective and strategic advocacy to demand accountability and good governance from their local leaders.
“Our call to the government is simple: Address the current hardship by reducing the prices of food and essential commodities. Ensure security and stability across the nation. Provide job opportunities and empowerment schemes for young Nigerians.
“To our social media influencers and activists, we urge you to remain focused and committed to maintaining peace and unity in our great nation while demanding accountability and good governance at all levels,” part of the statement reads.