The national president of the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) in Nigeria, Mrs Faith Chem Jadu, has called on Nigerian youths not to be used as agents of destruction in the ongoing protest.
The women said that for over a week, different parts of the country have witnessed one form of protest or the another, noting that some of these protests were peaceful, while others left much to be desired.
In a statement, Mrs Jadu said that, as mothers, they cannot stand aside and witness the country degenerate into chaos.
“Yes, we understand the rights of every citizen to protest against or for any issues as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Still, when such protests turn violent, destruction of public and private property and, in some places, loss of lives, then that protest is a threat to the well-being of Nigerians.
“Although the reasons for the protests by the protesters are genuine, we as mothers can attest to that because, on most occasions, we are the one that goes to the market; we know how inflation has mar purchasing power of the naira in the economy, but our concern is how the protests have been hijacked in some states of the federation by hoodlums, under-aged children that know next to nothing, being used as instruments of destructions, as mothers we are pained with this developments, violence is not the solution, violence has never solved a problem, but dialogue and understanding,” she said.
Mrs Jadu urged the protest leaders to reconsider, adding, “You have spoken loud and clear; the masses are hungry. We urge you, in the name of God, for peace to reign. Don’t allow the protests to plunge the country into chaos. Already, we have lost much.
“And to the government under the leadership of our dear President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinibu, please listen to the cry of your people, let there be a common ground acceptable by the people, and introduce policies that would reduce the current hardship faced in the country for a better Nigeria,” she added.
