Gov Ododo urges Nigerian youths to shun protest

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo has appealed to youths in the country to shun the proposed protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024.

Ododo made the appeal on Tuesday during an event held in Lokoja to mark the empowerment of 500 women and youths in the poultry value-chain credit support programme.

He argued that President Bola Tinubu's administration inherited the current economic hardship, adding that protest will bring about destruction of the nations economy.

"As a state, we will continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu laudable initiative in making Nigeria great. To those Nigerians who are bent on violent protests, let reasoning prevail. We are making progress. We are moving forward. Our hopes are back.

"Any violent protest at a time like this will no doubt reverse our gain in the past 13 months. The intent of the promoters of protest in Nigeria are concealed in political desperation.

"I call on all the youth of our dear nation to rise behind Mr. President in his determination to fix the nation back on track. Mr. President is trying. What we are facing today is not caused by him. He inherited this economic crisis and hardship and he is trying to pull us out of it. I urge everyone of us as a state to support Mr. President's programs and policies so that together we can jointly pull ourselves out of this economic hardship.

"Tell those that are telling you to go on the street to protest to bring their children.You cannot send your children abroad, thinking we are fools. We are not fools. Mr. President is trying. We will continue to support him so that we will be pulled out of this inherited economic crisis," he stated.