One of Nigeria’s celebrated musicians, Dr. Bongos Ikwue on Monday appealed to government and persons in leadership positions to address the demands of protesting youths and the masses.
Reacting to the just concluded #EndBadGovernance protests, Ikwue pleaded that government should be liberal in accepting both the protesters and their actions as part of the checks-and-balances of democracy.
“Nigerian leaders should be aware that there is a paradigm shift; modern day Nigerians have evolved to putting their leaders to task – a departure from docility,” he stated, noting that “bad governance is not limited to government but also to our homes, communities, organisations, religious organisations, and associations”.
“Everyone in position of leadership to address the demands of protesting youths and the silent affected masses including local, state and federal governments should be liberal in accepting both the protesters and their actions as part of the checks-and-balances of democracy,” he added.
Ikwue also disclosed his willingness to collaborate with government at the local, state and federal levels to engage the youths meaningfully and effectively.
Noting that the condition of the youths can be used to predict the future of the country, he stressed that Nigeria’s young population should be appropriately counselled, reasonably provided for, and properly guided and monitored.
The musician stated that it is obvious that there is hardship in the country, which he said can be traced to increase in fuel pump price since most activities in the country are hinged on the use of premium motor spirit (PMS).
He therefore empathized with Nigerians, as well as the government. Ikwue noted that Nigerians have been grappling with hunger, insecurity, violent attacks at home and on the farms, inefficient healthcare system, and inadequacy of all sorts.
Ikwue, in the same vein, appealed to the youths to sheathe their swords and “cultivate the culture of tasking their brains to think out pragmatic, yet simple, solutions to challenges facing us as individuals and collectively”.
He advised youths against resorting to violence or giving room to agents of destruction when calling the attention of government to their grievances.
The singer chided youths who believe in taking illegal routes to acquire wealth, admonishing them to exploit the numerous opportunities and resources available in the society.
He also advised the government to implement certain measures to address the hardship in the country.
“Parts of the solutions suggested to mitigate hardship in the country are reducing the demand for PMS by embracing CNG-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, building of recharge/filling stations for these vehicles; affordable mass transit scheme (tricycles inclusive); support to charity shops where foodstuff would be sold at lower prices; enhanced nationwide hi-tech security architecture (particularly of ungoverned areas); meaningful youth empowerment programmes; purposeful leadership training; and concerted visible efforts at stamping out corruption within government and citizens,” he said.
Ikwue also appealed to government to open up an efficient communication mechanism for better mutual understanding of its programmes and the feelings of the public.
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