By George Ozalla
Forum of National Youth Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria (FNYLPPN) comprising of registered political parties as recognized by the National Electoral body (INEC) has insisted that dialogue
is the way to go with government of the day towards addressing many economic challenges bedeviling the country at this moment; rather than adopting ill-advised confrontational approach that will certainly be counter-productive.
However, while noting the unprecedented levels of hardship on the citizenry as factual, the forum has always insisted on alternate resolution methodology rather than nationwide protests which the forum had earlier forewarned that such route could spell greater doom for the country: whereby some misguided sponsored criminal elements would hijack the planned nationwide protests and do more harm than good with it under the guise of peaceful protests.
In a world press conference called by the forum Thursday in Abuja, the leadership of the forum revealed to pressmen that they have gotten invitation for dialogue with government and very ready to present twenty-one key demands that can contribute towards ameliorating the current harsh economic situation being faced by Nigerians- both in the short, medium and long terms basis.
Stressing further, the Chairman of FNYLPPN, Ambassador Auwal Muhammed Musa stated that: “the forum cannot emphasize the need for dialogue enough and in the usual manner of taking the bull by the horns, the forum is taking the lead to begin to mobilize youth structures across the country to the table of dialogue to ensure that no issue is left out in the considerations to be made and to ensure that the youth have a voice and participate actively in the architecture of rebuilding, rehabilitating and reconstructing this great nation, post protest. The forum also believes that the government deserves commendation for the way it handled the protests, the Minister of State for Youth Development Honorable Olawande Wisdom who identified with the protesters and ensured they were accorded respect and dignities as they exercised their fundamental rights as well through the security operatives around the country who in more instances than not demonstrated a high level of professionalism, commitment to duty and patriotism to nation by ensuring the rights of protesters were not abused, neither was the peace of citizens destabilized”.
Amb. Musa continuing stated that, the forum wants to use the opportunity of the world press conference to highlight and commend the recent National Dialogue Summit organized by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) which was well hosted by the Inspector General of Police to commence discussions with the Nigerian Youth on ways by which their security and safety can be guaranteed in today’s Nigeria.
In conclusion, the forum sympathized with the leadership of Action People’s Party (APP) over the bomb blast that devastated its Secretariat in Rivers State and distanced itself from such dastardly acts of barbarism.
The FNYLPPN also warned impostors parading themselves as members of the forum to desist henceforth from defrauding unsuspecting individuals and organisations as well as the general public by their various acts of illegality or be prepared to face the full wraths of the law.
A copy of the Press Statement made available to newsmen during the press conference were jointly signed by the Chairman of the forum, Amb. Musa, Hon. Chinazam Ike: Vice Chairman of the forum, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, Secretary of the forum and Comrade Wolimoh Olajide on behalf of other members.
